Continental starting New York/Mumbai service early

Continental starting New York/Mumbai service early Continental Airlines said a positive market response has led it to bring forward the start date of its nonstop service between New York and Mumbai in India from Oct. 30 to Oct. 1.
   Continental will initially operate the service four times a week — departing Newark Liberty International Airport on Sundays, Mondays, Fridays and Saturdays — with the frequency increasing to daily from Oct. 28, all subject to government approval.
   The airline has operated a nonstop service between New York and Delhi since 2005, and the new call at Mumbai will become the airline’s 30th city on its transatlantic network.
   “We have received strong support for the nonstop New York to Mumbai service and are pleased to be able to move up its start date,” said Jim Compton, Continental’s executive vice president of marketing. “The new service will link America’s financial center with the business and entertainment capital of India and its most populous city. We are confident the service will be a great success.”
   Continental’s New York/Newark-Mumbai service will be operated by Boeing 777-200 aircraft with flying times of about 14 hours and 50 minutes eastbound, and 16:15 westbound.