AIRLINES

Continental Expands ‘Peanuts Fares’: The airline, stepping up expansion of its no-frills, short-haul service, said it will offer unrestricted, low-cost “Peanuts Fares” on 292 more of its daily flights. The carrier also plans to hire up to 400 pilots in the next 12 months to keep up with its growing flight schedule. Houston-based Continental Airlines, the fifth-largest U.S. carrier, now employs about 4,000 pilots. “What you’re seeing is only the beginning of what ultimately will be a revision of the industry’s fare structure,” said Tom Longman of Bear Stearns & Co.