Breaking:  Continental Airlines Reduces 50% of Capacity to Mexico Due to Swine Flu

We received the following information from our Continental Airlines PetSafe representative this morning and wanted to cross-post it for any people traveling with pets to Mexico City who might be concerned about pet airline schedules during the swine ful pandemic.  It's important to note that pet friendly Continental is still allowing passengers to change their travel itineraries through May 31, 2009 without incurring a penalty.

Press Release - Friday, May 1, 2009

Total capacity to Mexico reduced by 50 percent; CO continues to serve all Mexico destinations

CO today announced significant, temporary reductions in capacity to Mexico, effective May 4, 2009, in response to lower demand. Initially, for the month of May, the company has reduced capacity to Mexico as measured by available seat miles (ASMs) by approximately 50 percent, compared to its original May 2009 flight schedule. Flight departures have been reduced by approximately 40 percent. These reductions constitute approximately 2.0 percent of CO's systemwide ASMs for May 2009 compared to its original May 2009 flight schedule. Reductions are being implemented by using smaller aircraft on flights to Mexico or by reducing the frequency of flights to any one destination. Prior to these reductions, CO operated an average of 450 weekly flights to the country.

"Given the swift changes we are seeing in the marketplace, we need to react prudently but quickly to bring our capacity more into line with demand," said Larry. "We were already experiencing soft market conditions due to the economy, and now our Mexico routes in particular have extra weakness. Our plan going forward will be to continue to monitor demand levels we are seeing and adjust our capacity and costs accordingly."

CO continues to serve all 29 of its destinations in Mexico and customers are assured that return travel from Mexico remains available, although schedules and routings may change. CO is notifying affected customers about options for re-accommodation on different flights as close as possible in time to their original flights. In addition, the company extended its waiver policy for customers traveling to Mexico, allowing them to change their itinerary without penalty through May 31, 2009.