Continental Airlines recorded a net income of US$343 million in 2006. As a result the carrier has launched a US$111 million profit sharing initiative for staff, the first since 2000.

"When we work together, we win together, and my co-workers are sharingContinental's success through profit sharing," Continental chairman and CEO Larry Kellner said. "We all worked together in 2006 to deliver solid financial and operational results, and my co-workers now receive US$111 million in cash."

Mark Erwin, Continental's president-Asia Pacific, visited Hong Kong todistribute profit sharing checks to each Hong Kong employee.

"Chinese New Year is just around the corner, I would like to take this opportunity to wish all staff a prosperous and healthy Year of Pig," he said.

Continental, together with Continental Express and Continental Connection, has more than 3,100 daily departures throughout the Americas, Europe and Asia, serving 150 domestic and 136 international destinations.