<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by EWR-COflyer:

Continental Air's Bethune Comments on Outlook, Consolidation
By Todd J. Shriber

(Lies italicized by NJDavid)

Newark, New Jersey, March 28 (Bloomberg) -- Continental Airlines Inc.'s Chairman and Chief Executive Gordon Bethune comments on the fifth-largest U.S. carrier's outlook and consolidation in the airline industry. The comments were made at the opening of a $1.4 billion terminal expansion at Newark International Airport in New Jersey. Continental is based in Houston.

``I think the airline industry is done with consolidation for a while. The companies just don't have their financials in order right now. Continental can stand alone and we don't need help in running our business. I think we're always mentioned as a takeover target because other airlines want what we have.''

``Look at us and Southwest Airlines, we're two of the best companies to work for and we have the best customer service. Consolidation will be over for only so long in the industry because the market picks the winners and losers, and there will always be winning airlines and failing airlines.''

``I feel we'll be profitable at the times we said we would this year. Obviously, we'd like to be there sooner. We didn't cut back after Sept. 11 to the extent our rivals did and we spent money on other areas of our business, including adding more room in our coach-class cabins.''

``We're headed in the right direction. A lot of airlines hyperventilated after Sept. 11. We're comfortable with our business outlook and know that we'll make money in the second half. The more markets we fly to, the more customers we'll gain because they'll experience better service. That will help raise profits.'' </font>