Continental Air warns of hefty losses

HOUSTON - Faced with soaring fuel prices, Continental Airlines Inc. is warning of hefty losses this year and beyond — plus possible employee furloughs and cuts to wages and benefits.

The carrier announced a worldwide fare hike late Tuesday designed to help offset an additional $700 million in fuel charges the airline said it was facing this year because of surging crude oil prices.

As a result, Continental said it no longer expects to break even in 2004 and could have a significant loss for the year because of the rising fuel costs coupled with low fares. The company is also predicting losses in the quarter ending June 30.

http://msnbc.msn.com/id/5012516/

March 2001 to May 2003, CNBC, FOX, CNN, MSGOP..., 'The economy is just fine and the recovery will be here next quarter.'

but they're going broke due to economy and oil prices. Such irony in it all, no?

Houstonians having anything to say about it. A lot of pilots will not call it Bush; they still say Intercontinental.

They just made a huge semi-rotunda right at the exit of security check-in so all Houstonians just clearing security and people who happen to be passing by get to se a huge-ass statue of Bushdaddy in a full larger-than-life Superman pose.

By the way, that statue was located inconspicuously in another section of the airport until a recent move.

(and don't get me started on "Reagan National"...like someone said, it was already named after a President)

nt

The older airport is Hobby--closer to town & named after a more liberal family. Also more convenient for those of you planning a fun-filled Houston vacation--or coming here on business.

from CT/ME