Delta Connection Carrier Comair Files Application to Fly Nonstop Between Washington, D.C., and Lexington, KY

Lexington, KY - Delta Connection carrier Comair has filed an application with the United States Department of Transportation (DOT) to operate nonstop flights between Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) and Lexington , Ky. Comair would operate one daily roundtrip flight to Lexington using Bombardier CRJ regional jet aircraft.

In the DOT filing, Comair points out that Lexington is an important airport that currently lack nonstop service to DCA, and that Central Kentucky could readily support nonstop regional jet flights. Comair also said its proposal gives the FAA the important ability to further Congress's small community service goals, and to improve service for small communities that have felt the pinch of reductions in airline service due to economic challenges.

Comair said its flights would dramatically improve Washington , D.C. , access for Lexington passengers by decreasing travel times between the cities when compared to current connection service.

Comair's DOT filing was in response to America West Airlines' decision to disband its Columbus , Ohio , hub operation and the resulting cancellation of America West's service between DCA and Columbus. The service cancellation returns three exemption slots to the FAA for reallocation. The DOT will then decide whether to award the slots to Comair or other carriers applying for use of the slots.

In response to the filing U.S. Congressman Harold Rogers said, “"I commend Delta and Comair for recognizing and addressing the needs of an underserved area. This service will greatly improve access to the Lexington area and will help boost economic development and tourism efforts throughout the region. I hope Secretary Mineta looks carefully at this application and ultimately concludes, as I have, that Lexington sorely needs nonstop service to Washington."

Michael Gobb, Executive Director for Blue Grass Airport added, “The airport has been working to establish nonstop access to Washington DC for over three years. By working with our community we have captured the attention of airlines and are favorably competing for service on the national level. We are convinced, if approved, this service will be successful from day one.”

Cincinnati-based Delta Connection carrier Comair operates 900 flights a day to more than 110 cities in the United States, Canada and the Bahamas with an all-jet fleet of Bombardier CRJ regional jets. Delta Connection carriers include Delta's (NYSE: DAL - News) wholly owned subsidiaries Atlantic Southeast Airlines and Comair, additional regional carriers Atlantic Coast Airlines, Chautauqua Airlines and SkyWest Airlines, and codeshare partner American Eagle (in California). Delta Connection carriers operate more than 300 regional jets throughout North America. For more information, please visit delta.com .