AA welcomes Continental Airlines non-stop service to New York

(HONG KONG, 3 March 2001) - The Airport Authority (AA) today welcomed the inaugural flight of Continental Airlines' new non-stop service to New York.

The new service connects Hong Kong directly with Newark International Airport, one of three international airports serving the New York metropolitan area. The 7,337 nautical-mile route over China, Russia, Canada and the Arctic is the longest operated by a US airline and the longest scheduled non-stop flight ever flown out of New York. The approximately 15-hour journey saves is at least two hours less than other flights, which make at least one stop enroute.

"This is a significant event for HKIA," AA Chief Executive Officer Dr David Pang said at today's welcoming ceremony. "Hong Kong International Airport now boasts direct links to the three main airports in New York: Kennedy, La Guardia and now Newark, which incidentally handles almost exactly the same number of passengers as HKIA and is located about the same distance from town."

Dr Pang noted that Continental's passengers flying to Newark could easily connect with the airline's extensive network of 115 destinations worldwide, while inbound visitors could enjoy Hong Kong as their destination or connect to HKIA's substantial network, including direct flights to 40 Mainland cities.

"I believe Continental has timed its entry well," Dr Pang said. "According to the Hong Kong Tourist Association, the number of visitors from the United States, our largest source of long-haul passengers, rose significantly last year by 12.5 per cent compared with 1999, and a very healthy 25.8 per cent in December alone.

"With China's impending accession to the World Trade Organisation, the opening of Hong Kong Disneyland in 2005, and planned airport developments such as the Airport City and convention and exhibition centre, Hong Kong will be very much a place for business and pleasure. It is a good time to be here."

Ref. PR-554