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Monday, February 05, 2007 |
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Contact: |
Joe McBride
816-243-3160
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New Airline to Begin Service at KCI AirportExpressJet Airlines to Offer More Choices for Travelers |
KANSAS CITY, MO., February 5, 2007 – Officials at the Kansas City Aviation Department today announced the arrival of a new airline at Kansas City International Airport (KCI). Starting today, ExpressJet Airlines will begin selling tickets for nonstop service from KCI to Austin, Jacksonville, Fla., New Orleans, Raleigh-Durham, Louisville, Los Angeles/Ontario and Tucson. Tickets can be purchased online at http://www.xjet.com.
"Not only will ExpressJet bring new jobs to Kansas City, but it will also make it much easier for local companies to conduct business face-to-face by making travel faster and more convenient,” said Mark VanLoh, director of aviation for the department. “With ExpressJet's arrival, Kansas Citians will enjoy service to 64 nonstop destinations, including 44 of the top 50 destinations.”
The ExpressJet fleet of 50-seat Embraer ERJ-145XR aircraft are configured with no middle seat, which gives every 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 brand snacks with full meal service options available on longer flights.
With its entrance into the market, ExpressJet plans to hire about 30 employees locally and invest more than $450,000 in airport facilities and equipment. Airport officials added that the new nonstop service options in Kansas City will continue to support Kansas City’s growing regional economy.
KCI currently offers service to 58 nonstop markets and more than 100 direct markets (one stop, same plane) and has approximately 230 daily departures. For all of 2006, the total number of passengers arriving and departing at KCI was 10,569,590 -- an increase of 8.6 percent from 2005. The last airline to begin operations at KCI Airport was AirTran Airways in October 2002. KCI’s busiest airlines are Southwest Airlines, Midwest Airlines and American Airlines.
The Kansas City Airport System is an Enterprise Fund Department of the City of Kansas City, Missouri, and is supported wholly by airport user charges. No general tax fund revenues are used for the administration, promotion, operation, or maintenance of the airports in the system. Visit www.flykci.com for more information. |
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