The following airines have issued updates with regard to travel after Hurricane Ike.
CONTINENTAL AIRLINES
Continental Airlines has resumed a comprehensive flight schedule at its Houston hub at Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) in the aftermath of Hurricane Ike. All terminals at the airport are functioning, and Continental is providing frequent flights for travelers originating, arriving or connecting at IAH.
Today Continental (including mainline, Continental Express and Continental Connection) has more than 500 departures (and an equal number of arrivals) scheduled at the Houston hub. Continental employees from other domestic locations have flown into Houston to assist their co-workers in resuming operations at the IAH hub. Normal operations are also continuing at the carrier’s other hubs.
Taxi availability at IAH is plentiful, and the Houston Airport System is reopening its consolidated rental car facility today. Travelers should check on hotel accommodations in Houston unless they already have confirmed arrangements.
Houston-based Continental succeeded in operating globally throughout the hurricane thanks to effective advance preparations. The airline’s operations center was temporarily relocated away from downtown Houston in accordance with the business continuity plan. On Saturday and Sunday, although the Houston hub was closed due to the hurricane, the remainder of Continental’s system operated extremely well. During the two-day period, 84.1 percent of Continental flights arrived on time and the airline had only three cancellations unrelated to the storm.
The Mayor’s Office of Public Safety and Homeland Security has informed Continental that the curfew currently in effect for the city does not apply to customers or employees driving or being driven to and from IAH.
Customers booked on flights to, from or through the Houston hub and in the affected region are permitted a one-time date or time change to their itinerary without penalty for rescheduled travel. If a flight has been canceled, a refund in the original form of payment may be requested. Complete details are available at continental.com. The fastest and most convenient way to change travel plans is via continental.com. Customers should enter their confirmation number and last name in “Manage Reservations.” Customers may also call Continental Airlines reservations at 800-525-0280 or their travel agent.
continental.com provides an overview of Continental operations as well as up-to-date information regarding the status of specific flights. Automated flight status information is also available at 800-784-4444.
AIRTRAN AIRWAYS
AirTran Airways, a subsidiary of AirTran Holdings, Inc., announced that the airline will resume flights to Houston Hobby International Airport in Houston, Texas today. AirTran Airways, along with other carriers serving the airport, cancelled flights when the airport closed because of Hurricane Ike.
AirTran Airways will add an additional flight from Houston Hobby to Atlanta tonight to help meet passenger demand. The added flight information is as follows:
Date Flight Departs Departure Time Arrives Arrival Time
9/15 8748 Houston 10:25 p.m. CDT Atlanta 1:15 am EDT (9/16)
The airline strongly encourages passengers to check the status of their flights by visiting http://www.airtran.com/ or by calling 1-800-AIRTRAN (247-8726) before leaving for the airport. Because of the conditions of roads and the curfew in Houston, passengers are advised to allow plenty of extra time to get to the airport and to have a printed copy of your travel itinerary.
AirTran Airways, a subsidiary of AirTran Holdings, Inc., announced that while the airline has resumed flights to Houston’s Hobby Airport in Houston, Texas, earlier today, the carrier realizes that its passengers in the Houston area are focused on recovery efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Ike, so the airline has extended the offer for passengers with tickets already booked for travel to adjust their travel arrangements without change fees or fare adjustments.
Customers holding reservations for travel to or from Houston’s Hobby Airport through September 19, 2008 may change their travel plans to complete travel within seven days of their original flight. These changes may be earlier or later than the original travel date, but must be completed within seven days of the originally reserved travel date. Please visit us at http://www.airtran.com/ to make these changes.
Passengers arriving at or planning on departing from Houston Hobby Airport during the hours of curfew should have a copy of their printed itinerary in their possession. For further information on the Houston curfew restrictions please check with the local Houston authorities and news media for the latest information.
