Single Operating Certificate Creates World's Largest Regional Airline

The FAA has granted a single operating certificate allowing  Atlantic Southeast Airlines and its subsidiary ExpressJet Airlines to operate as a single entity. The approval was the final regulatory step in the merger of the two carriers.

Effective Dec. 31, 2011, the combined airline will operate solely as ExpressJet Airlines and will be the largest regional airline in the world, with more than 400 aircraft operating 2,350 flights each day.

"I am extremely proud of the talented aviation professionals across our company, who have worked so hard for the past year to combine our processes and procedures to achieve this milestone," said Brad Holt, president & COO – Atlantic Southeast and ExpressJet. "As we begin operating as a single carrier, we will continue focusing on delivering safe, reliable service while improving our cost competitiveness."

The carriers achieved the single operating certificate in record time while safely continuing daily operations. The FAA's approval comes just 12 months after SkyWest, Inc. announced its acquisition of ExpressJet and plans to merge the two airlines.

"We are extremely thankful for the work and dedication our people have put into this process," said Brad Rich, president – SkyWest, Inc. "Achieving this milestone allows us to continue our strategic integration and cost-reduction plans that we believe will position us to offer an exceptional product to our passengers and major partners and will create additional value for our shareholders."

Atlantic Southeast is a wholly-owned subsidiary of SkyWest, a holding company for three scheduled passenger airline operations and an aircraft leasing company and is headquartered in St. George, Utah.

FMI: www.expressjet.com