Continental to Add Service with New U.S.-E.U. Open Skies Deal

Continental said it will expand its transatlantic network to London’s Heathrow Airport when the U.S.-E.U. open skies deal takes effect March 29. Under the existing U.S.-E.U. air services agreement, Heathrow is off-limits to Continental.

The carrier is planning daily service from its Newark and Houston hubs, using a mix of 767 and 777 aircraft. Existing service to London’s Gatwick from those points and seasonal Gatwick service from Cleveland will continue.

Continental did not say how it will acquire the scarce and valuable Heathrow slots for the new service, but said it “will own” them. Previously, Delta, also frozen out of Heathrow, disclosed plans to enter the market from New York (Kennedy) and Atlanta, using slots acquired from alliance partner Air France.