Continental Airlines began twice-weekly flights between its Houston hub at Bush Intercontinental Airport and Tuxtla Gutierrez, Chiapas, Mexico, the airline's 30th Mexican destination. Continental serves more destinations in Mexico from the U.S. than any other airline.

The new flight, operated as Continental Express, departs Houston at 6:15 p.m. on Wednesdays and Saturdays, arriving in Tuxtla Gutierrez at 9:20 p.m. The return flight departs Tuxtla Gutierrez at 8:30 a.m. on Thursdays and Sundays 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.

Chiapas, located in the southeast region of Mexico, is known for its Spanish and Mayan influence, crafts, cuisine, natural wonders, protected ecological reserves, indigenous communities and Mayan archeological zones, including Bonampak and Palenque, both considered UNESCO "World Heritage" sites.

Latin America and the Caribbean account for more than half of Continental Airlines' international destinations. Continental offers service to 72 destinations in 24 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean, including nonstop service from the U.S. to 30 destinations in Mexico - more than any other airline. Continental also offers nonstop service to 10 cities in Central America 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.