Continental is staying in Cleveland, exec says

CLEVELAND (AP) -- The future of the Continental Airlines hub in Cleveland appears to be secure, the airline's chief operating officer said.
Continental business at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport will follow a national trend toward regional jets, Larry Kellner said Thursday at a program hosted by the Jones Day law firm.
Kellner said a strong travel market in Cleveland has helped the airline maintain its hub.
Continental, with other hubs in Houston and Newark, N.J., has struggled in the down economy and the aftermath of Sept. 11, but Kellner said it plans to grow by focusing on its employees, customer service and paying attention to what travelers want.
"I think if you liked the last 10 years of Continental in Cleveland, you're going to like the next 10 years," Kellner said.
Kellner will become Continental's chief executive when Gordon Bethune retires at the end of the year.
He said Continental will continue to be a "business airline" offering first-class travel, its London flight from Cleveland and a large number of nonstop destinations.