Jeff Smisek to become Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Continental Airlines

Continental Airlines reported that Jeff Smisek, Continental’s president and chief operating officer and a member of the board of directors, will become chairman and chief executive officer, effective January 1, 2010. Smisek will succeed Larry Kellner who has decided to return to private equity at year-end after 14 years with Continental, the last five of them as chairman and CEO.