CONTINENTAL EXPRESS ANNOUNCES NON-STOP FLIGHTS TO NEW YORK CITY

Lexington , KY – Continental Express, the regional air carrier for Continental Airlines has announced new non-stop air service between Lexington ’s Blue Grass Airport and New York ’s LaGuardia Airport (LGA) beginning November 1, 2001 .

Continental Express will operate the new service using fast, quiet, 37-seat Embraer ERJ-135 regional jet aircraft. The new flights will be the only non-stop service between Lexington and New York city .

“The business community of Central Kentucky has requested this service, and we are proud to be able to fulfill this need in the community,” said Director of Inflight Training for Continental Express Cathy Harris. “Lexington will soon be connected to New York nonstop, for the first time in decades.”

The daily flights will depart Lexington at 9:45 a.m. and 5:20 p.m., arriving at LaGuardia at 11:29 a.m. and 7:04 p.m., respectively. The return flights depart LaGuardia at 7 a.m. and 4:27 p.m., arriving in Lexington at 9:18 a.m. and 6:45 p.m.

“We applaud the significant investment of resources Continental Express made in Central Kentucky ,” said Michael Gobb, Executive Director, Blue Grass Airport. “Since August, the airline has introduced jets to Cleveland and announced new nonstop service to both Houston and New York City. Our customers have asked for more travel options from Lexington and Continental Express has delivered.”

Fernita Wallace, Chair of the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Airport Board adds “Non-stop access to LaGuardia Airport remains a dream of cities coast to coast. We are delighted to announce that non-stop jet service from Lexington to New York is a reality.”

With Continental Express’ latest flight addition the airline will offer seven daily all-jet departures from Lexington to Cleveland, Houston and New York.

Since November 2000, Blue Grass Airport has added five new non-stop destinations (Memphis, Philadelphia, Houston, Washington DC and New York) and upgraded service to Detroit, Charlotte, Cleveland and St. Louis. In the last ten months daily flights from Lexington have increased from 76 to 106 and non-stop cities have increased from 8 to 13.

Blue Grass Airport is served by 11 commercial airlines providing convenient non-stop service to 13 major gateway cities and direct service to destinations worldwide. Serving over one million passengers each year, Blue Grass Airport is making it convenient to Fly From Home!