GCP comments on announced Continental-United merger

Wednesday, May 05, 2010

Cleveland, Ohio—The Greater Cleveland Partnership continues to follow closely the Continental-United merger developments.

We have established a good working relationship with Continental Airlines CEO Jeffrey Smisek, who would be the chief executive of a merged United-Continental airline. He is accessible, he understands the market here, and he is willing to listen. And we're pleased that he has said Cleveland's hub will remain when the deal closes.

What this community needs to do over the next six to 18 months is demonstrate to the new company how crucial we are to their success. And we must continue our due diligence in communicating with company leadership to ensure that Cleveland Hopkins remains a hub in the long-term.

The GCP will work with the City of Cleveland and others in this important effort. We believe there are compelling facts emphasizing that it makes good business sense for this new, merged air carrier to retain a hub at Hopkins including:

  • Airlines want and need business customers, and our region has plenty of them. A hub offers more direct flights, which business customers in particular need and seek.
  • Continental already has made a substantial investment in Hopkins, which has served long and well as one of the airline’s three U.S. hubs. And it has been profitable for the company.
  • We have comparatively uncongested air space. It’s easier and more efficient for time-sensitive airlines to fly out of Cleveland than many other U.S. airports.

We want our long relationship with Continental Airlines to extend to this new, merged air carrier. We believe it can continue to work for both the airline and our region.

-30-

As an association of business members, the Greater Cleveland Partnership mobilizes private-sector leadership, expertise and resources to create jobs and leverage investment to improve the economic vitality of the region.

 

Back to News