Continental Airlines announced that beginning June 9, 2010, it will offer twice-weekly flights between its Houston hub at Bush Intercontinental Airport and Tuxtla Gutierrez, Chiapas, Mexico, the airline's 30th Mexican destination, subject to government approval. Continental serves more destinations in Mexico from the U.S. than any other airline.

Chiapas, located in Mexico's southeast region and the eighth largest state in the country, is famous for its Spanish and Mayan influence, crafts, cuisine, natural wonders, protected ecological reserves and indigenous communities. Chiapas is also home to Mayan archeological zones, including Bonampak and Palenque, considered UNESCO "World Heritage" sites.

The new flight, operated as Continental Express, departs Houston at 6:15 p.m. on Wednesday and Saturday and arrives in Tuxtla Gutierrez at 9:20 p.m. The return flight departs Tuxtla Gutierrez at 8:30 a.m. on Thursday and Sunday and arrives in Houston at 11:20 a.m. Flights are timed for convenient connections to other flights in Continental's network across the U.S. and to Canada and Europe.

Continental will utilize the 50-seat Embraer-145 XR regional jet for the new service.

"The addition of Tuxtla Gutierrez is a great complement to our extensive route network to Mexico," said John Slater, staff vice president, Latin America. "It will become our 30th destination served in Mexico and we expect it to be popular with business and leisure travelers."

Latin America and the Caribbean account for more than half of Continental Airlines' international destinations. Continental offers service to 70 destinations in 24 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean, including nonstop service to 29 destinations in Mexico - more than any other airline. Continental also offers nonstop service to 10 cities in Central American and serves seven South American destinations. A pioneer in "Latinization," Continental offers a number of Spanish-language services, including bilingual flight attendants on many flights to Latin America; bilingual airport personnel, reservations agents and signage; and a Spanish-language Web site at continental.com/espanol.