Here it comes... (CO/KLM)
Dec 15, 1999, 9:12 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 1999
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 622
Here it comes... (CO/KLM)
Continental Airlines and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines Announce
Marketing Plans
HOUSTON and AMSTELVEEN, Holland, Dec. 15 /PRNewswire/ -- Continental Airlines (NYSE: CAL - news and CAL.A - news) and KLM Royal Dutch
Airlines (NYSE: KLM and AEX: KLM) today announced plans for a joint marketing initiative which is to include through check-in of passengers and baggage,
reciprocal frequent flyer program participation, reciprocal airport lounge access, and, subject to government approval, codesharing on selected routes.
The two airlines have signed a memorandum of understanding and anticipate finalizing and implementing a comprehensive cooperative marketing agreement by
the second quarter of 2000, offering the customer convenient connections and additional destinations. The memorandum of understanding is seen as another
step toward building a strategic global alliance between Continental, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Northwest Airlines and Alitalia.
Once implemented, this agreement will enable Continental and KLM passengers to connect on flights operated by the other partner using reliable transfer
facilities at the hubs in Houston, Newark and Amsterdam. In addition, members of Continental's frequent flyer program, OnePass, and KLM's frequent flyer
program, Flying Dutchman, will benefit by being able to earn and redeem miles and/or points anywhere on either airline's global route network. Furthermore,
Continental and KLM intend to provide reciprocal access to each carrier's airport lounges worldwide.
Upon receipt of all necessary approvals, Continental will place its ``CO*'' code on selected flights operated by KLM beyond its Amsterdam hub that connect
to Continental's daily flights between New York/Newark and Amsterdam. In addition, KLM will place its ``KL*'' code on selected flights operated by
Continental beyond its New York/Newark and Houston hubs which connect to KLM's flights between Amsterdam and these cities.
``KLM's extensive global route network will increase options and convenience for Continental customers traveling beyond the Amsterdam gateway, as well as
providing enhanced benefits to our OnePass members,'' said Greg Brenneman, President and Chief Operating Officer for Continental Airlines. ``We look
forward to a successful relationship with KLM that will benefit the customers of both airlines.''
``The importance of this agreement with Continental is that we are able to extend our service to the customers and offer more connections to more destinations
through Continental's hub in Houston and New York/Newark,'' said Henny Essenberg, Managing Director of the KLM/Alitalia Passenger Venture. ``We look
forward to strengthening our agreement with Continental from this point on and feel that this is an important building block for a global alliance including KLM,
Continental, Northwest and Alitalia. This alliance will give all partners a major competitive edge in a global market that demands global transport solutions.''
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines (www.klm.com) together with its partners serves over 500 cities in nearly 100 countries on six continents. Northwest and KLM
have a well-developed alliance since 1992. Alitalia and KLM have formed a highly integrated partnership for the passenger and cargo businesses. As of
November 1, 1999 the KLM-Alitalia Passenger Venture has resulted in the full integration of both companies' global networks and commercial activities. The
KLM-Alitalia Passenger Venture is in effect the largest airline in Europe in terms of number of passengers carried. KLM's partner Alitalia has strong links with
Continental.
Marketing Plans
HOUSTON and AMSTELVEEN, Holland, Dec. 15 /PRNewswire/ -- Continental Airlines (NYSE: CAL - news and CAL.A - news) and KLM Royal Dutch
Airlines (NYSE: KLM and AEX: KLM) today announced plans for a joint marketing initiative which is to include through check-in of passengers and baggage,
reciprocal frequent flyer program participation, reciprocal airport lounge access, and, subject to government approval, codesharing on selected routes.
The two airlines have signed a memorandum of understanding and anticipate finalizing and implementing a comprehensive cooperative marketing agreement by
the second quarter of 2000, offering the customer convenient connections and additional destinations. The memorandum of understanding is seen as another
step toward building a strategic global alliance between Continental, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Northwest Airlines and Alitalia.
Once implemented, this agreement will enable Continental and KLM passengers to connect on flights operated by the other partner using reliable transfer
facilities at the hubs in Houston, Newark and Amsterdam. In addition, members of Continental's frequent flyer program, OnePass, and KLM's frequent flyer
program, Flying Dutchman, will benefit by being able to earn and redeem miles and/or points anywhere on either airline's global route network. Furthermore,
Continental and KLM intend to provide reciprocal access to each carrier's airport lounges worldwide.
Upon receipt of all necessary approvals, Continental will place its ``CO*'' code on selected flights operated by KLM beyond its Amsterdam hub that connect
to Continental's daily flights between New York/Newark and Amsterdam. In addition, KLM will place its ``KL*'' code on selected flights operated by
Continental beyond its New York/Newark and Houston hubs which connect to KLM's flights between Amsterdam and these cities.
``KLM's extensive global route network will increase options and convenience for Continental customers traveling beyond the Amsterdam gateway, as well as
providing enhanced benefits to our OnePass members,'' said Greg Brenneman, President and Chief Operating Officer for Continental Airlines. ``We look
forward to a successful relationship with KLM that will benefit the customers of both airlines.''
``The importance of this agreement with Continental is that we are able to extend our service to the customers and offer more connections to more destinations
through Continental's hub in Houston and New York/Newark,'' said Henny Essenberg, Managing Director of the KLM/Alitalia Passenger Venture. ``We look
forward to strengthening our agreement with Continental from this point on and feel that this is an important building block for a global alliance including KLM,
Continental, Northwest and Alitalia. This alliance will give all partners a major competitive edge in a global market that demands global transport solutions.''
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines (www.klm.com) together with its partners serves over 500 cities in nearly 100 countries on six continents. Northwest and KLM
have a well-developed alliance since 1992. Alitalia and KLM have formed a highly integrated partnership for the passenger and cargo businesses. As of
November 1, 1999 the KLM-Alitalia Passenger Venture has resulted in the full integration of both companies' global networks and commercial activities. The
KLM-Alitalia Passenger Venture is in effect the largest airline in Europe in terms of number of passengers carried. KLM's partner Alitalia has strong links with
Continental.
Dec 15, 1999, 9:17 am
#2
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: CH-3823 Wengen Switzerland
Programs: miles&more, MileagePlus
Posts: 27,041
good news! The more alliance-competition oneworld and StarAlliance get, the better they will serve costumers! I like strong competition!