Continental Connection

Continental Connection
IATA ICAO Callsign
  • 9K
  • 9L
  • C5
  • 3M
  • KAP
  • CJC
  • UCA
  • SIL
  • CAIR
  • COLGAN
  • COMMUTAIR
  • SILVER WINGS
Founded1986 (1986)
Ceased operationsMarch 3, 2012 (2012-03-03)
(merged into United Express)
Hubs
Frequent-flyer programOnePass
Alliance
Parent company
HeadquartersHouston, Texas, United States

Continental Connection was the brand name under which several commuter airline carriers and their holding companies operated services marketed exclusively by Continental Airlines. As such, all Continental Connection banner carrier services were operated primarily with turboprop aircraft in contrast to Continental Express, whose flights were operated by Continental's regional jet partners, ExpressJet and Chautauqua Airlines. Continental Connection operations were merged into Continental Express in 2012.

According to the Official Airline Guide, earlier Continental Express flights, such as those operated by Royale Airlines followed by Britt Airways from the Continental hub at Houston Intercontinental Airport (IAH), were operated with such turboprop aircraft as the ATR-42, Embraer EMB-110 Bandeirante, Embraer EMB-120 Brasilia, and Grumman Gulfstream I during the 1980s.[1]

All flights operated by Continental Connection carriers were given full OnePass frequent-flyer credit, as if they were mainline Continental flights.

The "Continental Connection" name was discontinued and the operation was renamed United Express following the merger of Continental Airlines with United Airlines.

Operators and fleet

Continental Connection fleet at dissolution
Airline IATA Service ICAO Code Callsign Aircraft In fleet Passengers Parent
Cape Air 9K KAP Cair ATR 42 2 46 Hyannis Air Service, Inc.
Colgan Air 9L CJC Colgan Bombardier Q400 29 74
Saab 340 10 34
CommutAir C5 UCA CommutAir Bombardier Q200 16 37 Champlain Enterprises, Inc.
Bombardier Q300 5 50
Silver Airways 3M SIL Silver Wings Beechcraft 1900D 21 19 Victory Park Capital
Total 83

Incidents and accidents

  • On February 12, 2009, Colgan Air Flight 3407 operating on behalf of Continental Connection crashed into a house on Long Road in Clarence Center, New York while on approach to Buffalo Niagara International Airport; 50 people, including one on the ground, were killed according to New York State Police.[2]
  • On September 7, 2011, Colgan Air Flight 3222, with 23 passengers en route from Houston, TX to Lake Charles, LA landed at Southland Field, which was not their scheduled destination. The crew was subsequently relieved of duty.[3]

See also

References

  1. ^ http://www.departedflights.com, Feb. 15, 1985 & Dec. 15, 1989 Official Airline Guide editions, Houston Intercontinental flight schedules
  2. ^ Wald, Matthew (2009-02-13). "Commuter Plane With 48 Aboard Crashes in Buffalo". New York Times. Retrieved 2009-02-13.
  3. ^ "Flight Crew Relieved From Duty Following Landing at Wrong Airport". Fox News. September 15, 2011.
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