Continental Airline now links TT with New York

Minister of Works and Transport Franklyn Khan has welcomed US airline Continental’s decision to operate the Port-of-Spain/New York route, saying it “augurs well with Government’s intention to position the Piarco International Airport as the major international airline hub in the region for travel  through North and South America, Europe and the Caribbean.” He was speaking at the inaugural ceremony last Thursday at the Trinidad Hilton. Khan continued, “We are one step closer towards making Piarco International Airport the gateway to South America. Piarco International Airport, because of its strategic geographic location between North, South and Latin America can be added as one of Continental Airline’s hubs to service its markets in the Americas. This new service should provide positive gains to the airline industry, in that it encourages healthy competition, higher operating standards and hopefully lower airfares to the travelling public.”

Continental Airlines, the 5th largest airline in the US and the 7th largest in the world celebrated its new service between Port-of-Spain and the US.  This month of December Continental Airlines are inaugurating three new destinations in the Caribbean.  The first to be inaugurated is Port-of-Spain, which is the 15th destination in the region. Continental Airlines is a major player in the aviation industry, being in the business for more than 65 years, serving more European destinations than any other US carrier. On Friday December 12 the inaugural Continential flight, with approximately 140 passengers arrived at Piarco International Airport from Newark.  Flights will continue four times per week — Saturdays, Sundays, Wednesdays and Thursdays — from Newark to Port-of-Spain, bringing an average passenger load of 100 persons per flight. On Saturday a new nonstop service from Port-of-Spain to the Newark Liberty International Airport in the New York area will take place.

Newark is the European hub, with flights to 12 cities in the old continent.  Getting into New York from the Newark Liberty Airport is easy and convenient.  There is an Airlink, a train that transports passengers to Manhattan in about 11 minutes.  “Convenient, quick and smoothly so you don’t miss a minute of your time — whether in business or leisure... When flying Continential you will discover that our philosophy is to transport you from point A to point B, with your luggage, on time and safely,” said Frank Galan, an official of Continental. In addressing the audience Minister of Tourism Howard Chin Lee stated,  “The commencement of Continential Airlines’ service from Newark to Port-of-Spain contributes to the growth and development of a vibrant and successful tourism industry, whilst opening up Trinidad and Tobago to avenues for further international investment and trade.”