To keep up with burgeoning international traffic in Houston, the new Terminal E will be phased in as early as December 2002, with completion expected in mid-2003. The Houston Airport System is responsible for construction, and Continental Airlines will be a major financial contributor to the facility, which is destined to be part of its hub system at Bush Intercontinental.

Only Continental will use the terminal, with the airline paying $235 million for Terminal E and related work. "When it's all said and done, Houston will have a world-class international facility that will meet passenger demand well into the future," says Continental Airlines Chairman Gordon Bethune.

Construction of the terminal is part of a larger, $1.7-billion expansion of Bush Intercontinental, Houston airport officials say. The other improvements include adding a third east-west runway, lengthening and widening a general aviation runway for use by air carrier services, building a new cargo facility and a vehicle rental complex for all rental companies.