For Immediate Release Contact: Rick DeLisi May 19, 2004 Director, Corporate Communications Page 1 of 3 (703) 650-6019
Independence Air Introduces New Low-Fare Service to Syracuse 8 Daily Flights to Washington, DC and Connecting Cities Begin July 1st One-Way Fares As Low As $59
Dulles, VA, (May 19, 2004) – Independence Air announced today it has chosen Syracuse Hancock International Airport (SYR) as one of its 35 summer launch destinations with new low-fare service scheduled to begin July 1st. Eight daily non-stop flights will be offered to Washington Dulles International Airport, with connections to over 21 cities available by later this summer.
As of 6:00am this morning, all flights are now available for sale on the Independence Air website at FLYi.com. All fares are sold one-way and a Saturday night stay is NOT required for any fare. Seat assignments can be reserved at the time of booking and flights are not overbooked.
Fares to Washington are low—ranging from just $59 one-way to no more than $103. The simple Independence Air fare rules are shown below. Web users who visit FLYi.com and sign up for a free membership to the iCLUB frequent flyer program will receive an additional $25 off their first round-trip.
Chairman and CEO Kerry Skeen said, “People have told us they are tired of getting ripped off by airlines that charge too much and have complicated rules and restrictions. We agree that it’s time for a change. At Independence Air, the fares we show you are not just some introductory or sale fares that are gone by the time you try to make a reservation. And we’re not afraid to show you our lowest and our highest fares—so you can be sure you’ll never be gouged, even when you have to book at the last minute.”
U.S Senator Charles Schumer said, “The arrival of Independence Air is another great breakthrough to bring low cost, reliable and frequent air service to upstate New York. I hope New Yorkers will take full advantage of Independence Air and its service.”
U.S. Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton said, “I am pleased that Independence Air will begin air service between the Washington, D.C. area and Syracuse. This new route will help bring additional business and jobs to upstate New York and will benefit the entire state’s economy. I hope this will allow more people to enjoy all that New York has to offer with flights beginning this summer.”
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U.S. Representative Jim Walsh said, "I welcome today's announcement by Independence Air that Syracuse will be within the first round of cities serviced by the airline. My office worked closely with company officials as Independence Air successfully emerged from a hostile takeover attempt to become an independent low-fare air carrier based at Dulles. The introduction of Independence Air jet service to Syracuse will offer New Yorkers another affordable option for business and leisure travel. In addition, it will further force its Hancock Airport competitors to reevaluate their fare structures to similar destinations."
The Independence Air hub at Washington Dulles will be the largest low-fare hub in America this summer—with 300 daily departures. In addition to non-stop service from Syracuse to Washington starting July 1st, by later this summer Independence Air will also offer a schedule of easy one-stop connections to over 21 destinations, including Atlanta, Charleston (SC), Charleston (WV), Chicago, Cleveland, Columbia (SC), Columbus (OH), Dayton, Detroit, Greensboro (NC), Greenville/Spartanburg (SC), Indianapolis, Jacksonville, Knoxville, Lansing, Louisville, Nashville, Norfolk, Pittsburgh, Raleigh/Durham and Savannah.
Flights from Syracuse to Washington will be aboard newly-upgraded 50-seat iJETs with all-leather slimline seats that provide more legroom than ever before. These aircraft offer several distinct advantages for travelers:
--Fast boarding and deplaning—even the last row clears in just a few minutes --Planeside carry-on baggage check-in—leave your carry-ons at the doorway of the aircraft and they’ll be there waiting for you when you arrive --No middle seats—everyone gets either an aisle or window seat
Independence Air will also begin adding 27 brand new 132-passenger Airbus A319s at Washington Dulles this fall. The Airbus aircraft—scheduled to launch in November— will allow Independence Air to offer low-fare service from Washington to major destinations in Florida, the Midwest and across the country to the West Coast. Independence Air plans to add live satellite TV in every seatback of its Airbus aircraft early next year. With the addition of the A319s, Independence Air will operate a fleet of over 110 jet aircraft.
Parent company Atlantic Coast Airlines Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq: ACAI) is based in Dulles, VA and employs over 4,100 aviation professionals. Later this year, the company plans to change its name to FLYi, Inc., and its ticker symbol to FLYI.
Independence Air is the low-fare airline that makes travel fast and easy for its customers with a customer-first attitude, innovative thinking and a willingness to challenge the status quo.
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INDEPENDENCE AIR FLIGHT SCHEDULE
Effective July 1, 2004 Syracuse, NY to/from Washington Dulles International Airport
Syracuse to Dulles Dulles to Syracuse Departs Arrives Departs Arrives *6:00a 7:20a 6:20a 7:46a 8:15a 9:35a 8:10a 9:36a 10:05a 11:30a 10:35a 12:01p 12:30p 1:57p 12:15p 1:42p 2:20p 3:47p 2:55p 4:25p 4:55p 6:24p 4:00p 5:30p 6:00p 7:30p 7:05p 8:38p 9:05p 10:25p 9:20p 10:49p
*Does not operate July 1, 2004
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PLEASE NOTE: All fares are one-way, non-refundable and non-transferable but reservations may be changed for a $25 fee plus any applicable difference in fare. The lower fares are limited and may not be available on all flights. Lowest fares are available by booking directly on the internet at FLYi.com. Bookings made through 800-FLY-FLYi are $5 higher each way than internet fares. Fares do not include segment fees of $3.10, security fees of $2.50 and PFCs of up to $4.50. Fares are subject to change without notice. See FLYi.com for full details and restrictions of the $25 off promotion.
Independence Air, the “i” logo mark, FLYi.com and Go Your Own Way are service marks of Atlantic Coast Airlines. ©ACA, 2004