Continental Micronesia

For the merger of United Airlines and Continental Airlines, see Continental-United Airlines Merger.

Continental Micronesia

IATA CS CO ICAO CMI COA Callsign AIR MIKE CONTINENTAL
Founded	1968 (as Air Micronesia)[1]
Commenced operations	May 16, 1968[1]
Hubs	Antonio B. Won Pat International Airport (Guam)
Frequent-flyer program	OnePass
Airport lounge	Presidents Club
Alliance	SkyTeam (2004-2009) Star Alliance (2009-)[2]
Fleet size	13
Destinations	25
Headquarters	Antonio B. Won Pat International Airport Tamuning, Guam (U.S.)[3]
Website	http://www.continental.com

Antonio B. Won Pat International Airport old terminal - Continental Micronesia headquarters

Continental Micronesia, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Continental Airlines. It operated daily flights to Honolulu, Hawaii, as well as international services to Asia, Micronesia and Australia from its base of operations at Antonio B. Won Pat International Airport on Guam,^[4] a U.S. territory in the western Pacific Ocean. The airline, a Delaware corporation,^[5] is headquartered in the old terminal building at Antonio B. Won Pat International Airport and in Tamuning, Guam.^[3][6]

On December 22, 2010, as a result of the Continental-United Airlines merger, the FAA approved the combination of Continental Micronesia's air carrier operations with Continental's under the single Part 121 operating certificate of Continental; although Continental Micronesia remains as a corporation, all flights are now operated directly by Continental Airlines. This step will simplify future integration steps between Continental and United. The callsign, ICAO and IATA codes were changed to reflect the new operating certificate.

Code data

Continental Micronesia flights used the regular Continental "CO" code on ticketing systems and for frequent-flyer benefit accounting, but used its ICAO code "CMI" and callsign "Air Mike" with air traffic control authorities. In airport terminals, Continental Micronesia flights were listed separately (from Continental) with its IATA code "CS". Airports which have both "Air Mike" and mainline Continental presence were Hong Kong, Tokyo and Honolulu.

Note: "Air Mike" and mainline Continental shared flight numbers on the Guam-Honolulu-Houston (1, 2) and Guam-Tokyo-Houston (6, 7) routes. The segments to/from Guam were operated by "Air Mike", while the segments to/from Houston were operated by mainline Continental.

History

Arrival of United Nations Visiting Mission, Majuro, 1978. Sign reads "Please release us from the bondage of your trusteeship agreement." An Air Mike Boeing 727 is in the background.

The airline was established by Continental and other regional shareholders in the former U.S. Trust Territory and started operations on May 16, 1968 as Air Micronesia,^[7] hence the nickname and callsign "Air Mike". Service was started with a Boeing 727-100, number 475, which was nicknamed "Ju-Ju," and a Douglas DC-6. It also operated two Grumman SA-16/ HU-16 Albatross amphibians to fly from Chuuk (Truk) to Pohnpei (Ponape), until an airfield could be built that could accommodate the 727. The 727's underside was coated with teflon, due to it having to operate on coral runways. Additionally, the plane had to carry spare parts and a mechanic, as well as open-water survival gear and (beginning in 1975) onboard doppler radar, then a rarity.^{[citation needed]}

William H. Stewart of the Saipan Tribune stated that the airline's foundation "in particular" "was probably the single most important factor in the future development of what were once remote and isolated islands in the Pacific." Stewart added that the jets "distorted the traveler's impression of time and distance and brought the islands closer to major market areas in Asia."^[8] The airline had a virtual monopoly in the Micronesia region.^[9] In the 1970s, each district that the airline flew to had an entirely Micronesian employee base, with the exception of Saipan, which housed the airline's headquarters.^[10] William H. Stewart of the Saipan Tribune said the airline "was the only travel link many had with the world beyond the horizon."^[11]

In the early 1980s the airline started service from Guam to Japan. As Continental's share and roles in Air Mike changed, the airline's name became "Continental Air Micronesia."^{[citation needed]} Continental now owns 100% of Air Mike, which today provides the only scheduled service directly between Guam and any point in the 50 United States (namely, to/from Honolulu, Hawaii).

Before being headquartered in Guam, Continental Micronesia was headquartered in Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands.^[12] As time passed, the airline's general traffic to and from Saipan had decreased due to the breakup of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands; because the territory was subdivided into smaller political units, fewer people needed to travel to Saipan, the former capital of the trust territory.^[9]

Continental Micronesia received its current name in 1992.^[13]

The Y2K era

Guam Century Plaza in Tamuning, Guam, which houses Continental Micronesia/Continental Airlines city ticket offices

By 2003 the Guam International Airport Authority moved commuter airlines out of Antonio B. Won Pat International Airport's Commuter Terminal and leased the entire facility to Continental.^[14]

As of 2004 most of the airline's employees are Guam-based, due to the location of the corporate headquarters and the airline's main hub.^[15] By 2005 Continental Micronesia's business on the island of Saipan had decreased, prompting layoffs in Saipan on October 4, 2005. According to an official from Continental Micronesia, Continental Airlines planned to offer positions for laid-off Saipan employees in Guam and in Houston.^[16]

As of January 2008, Continental Micronesia employs 1,500 people (Guam's largest private-sector employer^[17]) and operates 236 departures each week between 23 cities.^[18]

Continental Micronesia Boeing 737-800 at Fukuoka Airport

Massachusetts-based Cape Air began services in the Mariana Islands under the Continental Connection banner on July 1, 2004. Soon afterward, Continental Micronesia eliminated most jet services to Saipan in favor of Cape Air's smaller-sized aircraft and increased frequency.^{[citation needed]}

In 2008 Continental Micronesia generated profits. Chad Blair of the Pacific Business News said that the airline did so because it "nurtured" its "niche" Guam-Honolulu route. In addition Japanese tourists, wanting to save money, decided to travel to locations closer to Japan for vacation, so Continental Micronesia gained Japanese passengers. As of that year the airline's annual payroll in Guam was $90 million.^[13]

A Houston Chronicle article in May 2008 stated that expected subsequent military buildup and population growth could lead to an expansion of Continental Micronesia flights to and from Guam.^[19] However, on June 12, 2008, Continental's announcement of cuts of services, routes and destinations due to high fuel prices ^[20] included termination of flights to Hong Kong (which has since resumed) and Bali. Also among the cuts is the termination of the Saipan-Manila flights on July 15 which is the last remaining Air Mike flight for Saipan, the airline's original hub 40 years ago.^[21] According to Jaime R. Vergara of the Saipan Tribune, the declared reason for the cancellation of the Saipan-Manila route was the fact that NCLEX tests were now available in Manila, so Filipino nurses no longer had to travel to Saipan to take the test. Before the flight's cancellation, the flight also served medical referrals from the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands to Manila and non-USA visa alien contract workers who were unable to transit to their final destinations via Guam; Vergara said that the alien workers "particularly were Air Micronesia’s captive audience."^[9] With only Continental Connection/Cape Air services left, Continental closed its Saipan city ticket office on the same day.^[21]

2010 and beyond

The United-Continental merger resulted in the elimination of Continental Micronesia's operating certificate as the new entity work towards a single operating certificate (SOC).^[22] The combination of Continental Micronesia's operating certificate into Continental's was approved on December 22, 2010.

Destinations

Antonio B. Won Pat International Airport is the hub of Continental Micronesia

Further information: Continental Micronesia destinations

Beside providing transportation within Micronesia and between the region and the United States, Continental Micronesia flew to cities in Japan (the region's main source of tourists) and other Pacific Rim destinations.

The airline flew to nine Japanese cities, more than any other U.S. carrier.^[23] The airline also operated a five stop "island-hopper" route between Honolulu and Guam. The 4,300-mile (6,900 km) route had an average duration of 14 hours and 10 minutes. Due to the special requirements of the route, each aircraft flying on this route houses an extra pilot, an extra flight attendant, a mechanic, and extra spare parts in case of a mechanical failure. Historically the airline received little competition on the "island-hopper" route. Continental Micronesia provided the only scheduled jet service in the Federated States of Micronesia and Majuro, Marshall Islands.^[13] The airline's route network linked to the network of its parent company at Honolulu, Hong Kong, and Tokyo.^[23]

Due to small island populations and the corresponding amount of passenger traffic, many of Continental Micronesia's routes were flown less than daily (some as infrequent as twice weekly). The only routes with daily flights were between Guam and Fukuoka, Honolulu, Manila, Nagoya, Palau, and Tokyo.

Fleet

Continental Micronesia operated 11 Boeing 737 and 4 Boeing 767-400 aircraft (in Pacific Configuration) from Antonio B. Won Pat International Airport on Guam. The aircraft were all owned by Continental Airlines and were rotated to Continental Micronesia.^[24]

Continental Micronesia Fleet, November 2011

Aircraft	In Service	Passengers			Notes
		F	Y	Total
Boeing 737-700	4	12	112	124	N13720 is painted in Star Alliance livery
Boeing 737-800	8	14	141	155
Boeing 767-400ER	4	20	236	256	All have rotated out to the U.S. mainland in favor of UA B777-200 (Domestic configuration) service.

Former fleet

• Boeing 747 ^[25]
• Douglas DC-10^[25]
• Boeing 727^[25]

Inflight services

Unlike mainland Continental flights, Continental Micronesia continues to offer complimentary meals and snacks on virtually all of its flights, with specific services determined by mealtimes.^[26] The airline offered soft drinks that were free on all flights. Beer, liqueurs, spirits, and wine were all free of charge in BusinessFirst and Business Class on all flights, and for a charge in economy class on all flights.^[27] Special meals for customers who desire specific dietary options are available on all Continental Micronesia flights; special meals include the Child, Gluten intolerant, Hindu vegetarian, Jain, Kosher, Muslim, and Vegan options.^[28]

Accidents and incidents

• November 21, 1980: The aircraft on Continental Micronesia Flight 614, a Boeing 727, crashed in Yap. All of the passengers and crew survived the incident.^[29]

See also

	Micronesia portal
	United States portal
	Companies portal
	Aviation portal

• Continental Air Services, Inc

References

1. ^ ^{a b} Norwood, Tom; Wegg, John (2002). North American Airlines Handbook (3rd ed.). Sandpoint, ID: Airways International. ISBN 0-9653993-8-9. http://www.airwaysnews.com. 
2. ^ Continental Airlines To Leave SkyTeam To Join Star Alliance (Official Press Release: June 19, 2008)
3. ^ ^{a b} "Docket No. SDWA-06-2005-1516." United States Environmental Protection Agency. Retrieved on February 5, 2009.
4. ^ Flight International 3 April 2007
5. ^ "Docket OST-00." United States Department of Transportation. March 27, 2000. Retrieved on May 20, 2009.
6. ^ Letter. United States Department of Transportation Office of Aviation Enforcement and Proceedings. May 23, 1997. Retrieved on October 4, 2010. "Continental Micronesia Old Terminal Bldg. P.O. Box 8778-G Tamuning, GU 96931-8778."
7. ^ "GAO-10-778T Issues Raised by the Proposed Merger of United and Continental Airlines." Government Accountability Office. Page 4. Retrieved on October 7, 2010.
8. ^ Stewart, William H. "The NMI's recent economic history." Saipan Tribune. Wednesday May 18, 2005. Retrieved on October 13, 2010.
9. ^ ^{a b c} Vergara, Jaime R. "Celebrating the de-inauguration of CO 895." (Opinion page) Saipan Tribune. Monday July 21, 2008. Retrieved on October 13, 2010.
10. ^ International Organization and Conference Series, Issues 107-111. United States Department of State. Supt. of Docs., U.S. Govt. Print. Off., 1972. 85. Retrieved from Google Books on October 14, 2010. "In each district, except Air Micronesia's headquarters at Saipan, all Air Micronesia employees are Micronesian."
11. ^ Stewart, William H. "A different time and place." Saipan Tribune. Monday April 19, 2010. Retrieved on October 14, 2010.
12. ^ "World Airline Directory." Flight International. March 30, 1985. 47." Retrieved on June 17, 2009. "PO Box 298, Saipan, Mariana Islands 96950, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands."
13. ^ ^{a b c} Blair, Chad. "'Air Mike' a rare bright spot in local aviation." Pacific Business News. Friday May 30, 2008. Retrieved on October 12, 2010. "Thirty percent of the airline's business comes from its 4,300-mile island-hopper route, which begins in Honolulu, makes five stops and ends -- 14 hours and 10 minutes later -- in Hagatna, Guam's capital city."
14. ^ "Fiscal Year 2003 Overview." Guam International Airport Authority at Guam Chamber of Commerce. 3/4. Retrieved on October 13, 2010. "Movement of Operations from Commuter Terminal to Main Terminal As part of our streamlining, the Authority successfully moved the Commuter Terminal operations to the Main Terminal and leased the entire former Commuter Terminal to Continental Airlines."
15. ^ "VOICE of the people." (Opinion Page) Pacific Daily News. October 20, 2004. Opinion A19. Retrieved on October 13, 2010. "Since our headquarters and hub is located in Guam, most of the airline's employees are based here."
16. ^ Delano, Gaynor Dumat-ol. "Continental to downsize Oct. 4." Pacific Daily News. September 21, 2005. Local A1. Retrieved on October 13, 2010.
17. ^ Kerrigan, Kevin. "Guam Will Be The Pacific Hub for Merged Airlines." Pacific News Center. Wednesday May 5, 2010. Retrieved on October 5, 2010. "Continental Micronesia is Guam's single largest employer. About 14-hundred jobs here on dependant on the airline."
18. ^ "Continental Micronesia's press release template, January 2008." Marianas Variety News & Views.^{[dead link]}
19. ^ Hensel, Bill Jr. "TRANSPORTATION / Carrier stands to gain in Guam / Pacific island expects a population influx as military realigns its forces, and Continental's hub will be there to handle it." Houston Chronicle. Friday May 30, 2008. Business 1. Retrieved on October 2, 2009.
20. ^ Continental Micronesia To Cut Flights To Bali, Hong Kong And Manila, Pacific Magazine Daily News, June 13, 2008
21. ^ ^{a b} Deposa, Moneth G. Continental shuts down Saipan office." Marianas Variety News & Views. July 17, 2008. Retrieved on February 25, 2009.
22. ^ United to transition to Continental operating certificate as part of merger | ATWOnline
23. ^ ^{a b} "2007 ANNUAL REPORT TO STOCKHOLDERS." Continental Airlines. 1. Retrieved on June 16, 2010.
24. ^ Aircraft for Continental Micronesia
25. ^ ^{a b c} "Our Fleet" as of February 2, 1999, Continental Airlines
26. ^ "Economy Class Dining." Continental Airlines. Retrieved on October 13, 2010. "For Continental Micronesia flights within Asia, a complimentary meal or snack was offered during mealtimes."
27. ^ "In-flight Beverage Selection." Continental Airlines. Retrieved on October 29, 2010.
28. ^ "Special Meals." Continental Airlines. Retrieved on October 29, 2010. "All flights operated by Continental Micronesia. These flights depart from or arrive in Guam (GUM) or between Fiji (NAN) and Honolulu, HI (HNL)."
29. ^ NTSB Accident Report

External links

• Continental Airlines
• Continental Micronesia (Archive)