Continental Airlines Posted 7.6 Percent Traffic Gains in June

Houston-based Continental Airline netted a 7.6 percent increase in profits all through the month of June, while its load factor edged up 0.3 points to 82.2 percent, compared with June 2004. The carrier flew 7.2 billion revenue passenger miles and 8.8 billion available seat miles in June.

Revenue per available seat mile, a common measure of profitability for the airline industry, rose between 6 and 7 percent, compared to year-ago levels, but was down from a 9 percent increase seen in May.

The airline, which is currently in labor negotiations with its flight attendants, said it ended the second quarter with unrestricted cash and short-term investments in excess of $2 billion.