ExpressJet Launches Service Under Its Own Brand At AUS

AUSTIN, Feb. 5 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Beginning today, ExpressJet Airlines starts ticket sales from Austin/Bergstrom International Airport for non-stop service to: LA/Ontario, Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Kansas City, Mo., Albuquerque, Tucson, Corpus Christi, New Orleans, and Jacksonville, Fla.

"We're pleased to welcome ExpressJet, one of the nation's largest regional airlines, and one of Fortune Magazine's Most Admired Airlines in 2005 and 2006, to Austin/Bergstrom International Airport," Austin Mayor Will Wynn said.

"Not only will ExpressJet offer travelers to and from Austin more choices of non-stop flights to markets that either did not have them, or had too few options, but it will also fly a young fleet of aircraft with upgraded services," Mayor Wynn said.

Jim Ream, ExpressJet President and CEO, stated the ExpressJet fleet of 50- seat Embraer ERJ-145 aircraft are configured with no middle seat, assigning every ExpressJet passenger a seat on the aisle, window or both. ExpressJet branded service will also offer an improved customer experience with valet carry-on bag service and complimentary recognized name-brand snacks with full service meal options on longer flights.

"We thought Austin was the right market for ExpressJet because we can provide value by saving our customers time and making travel more convenient," Ream said. "Now, our customers will be able to relax on a non-stop flight, in a comfortable leather seat with more than 100 channels of free XM(R) Satellite radio."

With its entrance into the AUS market, ExpressJet plans to hire about 60 employees locally, transfer employees from other markets, and invest approximately $500,000 in airport facilities and equipment.

"There are markets that have the potential to be very successful with non-stop service," said Jim Smith, Executive Director for Austin/Bergstrom International Airport. "Judging from recent success with new nonstop service in 2006, AUS passengers do respond to new non-stop service and place a premium on non-stop versus connecting service."

ExpressJet schedules and fares are available for sale through most distribution channels for service originating from six markets: Los Angeles/Ontario, Sacramento, San Diego, Austin, San Antonio and New Orleans, to destinations in: Albuquerque, Spokane, Boise, Tucson, Omaha, Kansas City, Mo., Colorado Springs, Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Birmingham, Raleigh/Durham, Louisville, Monterey, Calif., Fresno, Bakersfield, Jacksonville, Fla., El Paso, and Corpus Christi, Texas.

Booking and updated flight information is available through most travelers' preferred providers including travel agencies, online distributors and at www.xjet.com.

About ExpressJet

ExpressJet Holdings operates numerous divisions designed to leverage its management experience, efficiencies and economies of scale present in its subsidiaries, including ExpressJet Airlines, Inc. and ExpressJet Services, LLC. ExpressJet Airlines' multiple operations include capacity purchase agreements for mainline carriers serving over 150 destinations in North and Central America with more than 1,300 departures per day; corporate aviation providing clients customized 50-seat travel options; training services through its world-class facility in Houston, Texas; and branded flying, providing non- stop service to 24 markets concentrated in the West, Midwest and Southeast regions of the United States. ExpressJet Services is the North American partner to three major European original equipment manufacturers and provides composite, sheet metal, interior and thrust reverser repairs throughout five facilities in the United States. For more information, visit www.expressjet.com and www.xjet.com.