Continental issues weather waivers

HOUSTON

Continental Airlines said on Tuesday that it would allow passengers booked for travel to some airports in Texas and Latin America to change their ticket because of Tropical Storm Alex.

The storm appeared to be on track to become a hurricane before it makes landfall later in the week.

Continental said it would waive change fees for travel to certain airports scheduled through July 5. Traveler's won't pay any higher fares if they travel before July 19. People who reschedule their travel for after that date may pay higher fares, the airline said.

The affected airports are: Brownsville, Corpus Christi, Harlingen, Laredo, McAllen, and Victoria, Texas; and Monterrey, Saltillo, and Torreon, Mexico.

Also, people scheduled to fly to certain cities in Latin America through Thursday could reschedule so they fly by July 15 to avoid change fees and higher fares: Belize City, Belize; Cancun, Ciudad Del Carmen, Cozumel, Merida, and Villahermosa, Mexico; and Roatan and San Pedro Sula, Honduras. They would have to pay the fare difference if their rescheduled flight takes place after July 15.

Shares of Houston-based Continental Airlines Inc. fell 59 cents, or 2.7 percent, to $21.42 in afternoon trading.