American Eagle Airlines Selected to Provide Essential Air Service From Chicago O'Hare to Two New Destinations in Iowa

FORT WORTH, Texas, Dec. 9, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- American Eagle, the regional affiliate of American Airlines, today announced it was selected by the United States Department of Transportation (DOT) to begin daily round-trip flights between Chicago O'Hare International Airport and two new destinations in Iowa – Sioux Gateway Airport in Sioux City and Waterloo Regional Airport in Waterloo. As part of the Essential Air Service program (EAS), Eagle plans to begin service in spring 2012, operating the routes with 44-seat and 50-seat Embraer jets.

"We're delighted that American Eagle was selected to provide service to Sioux City and Waterloo from our cornerstone hub in Chicago," said Gary Foss, Managing Director – Regional Commercial Services for American Airlines. "This schedule will allow customers throughout Northern Iowa to make a day trip to Chicago for business or connect through this key international gateway to destinations throughout the American Airlines and oneworld® global network."

"Connecting Sioux City and Waterloo air service through O'Hare will improve the flying options for travelers, while, at the same time, create and preserve jobs in both areas," said Iowa Senator Tom Harkin, who worked to support the inclusion of new cities into the Essential Air Service Program. "Better service is also important for economic development and in attracting new businesses. I am hopeful that American Airlines will be able to expand their air service to both cities over time, eliminating the need for federal support."

"I am pleased that the DOT has granted the City of Sioux City's request and selected American Eagle as the EAS provider in Sioux City," said Congressman Steve King (R-Iowa). "Round-trip service to Chicago O'Hare fits well with the demands of those travelling to and from Sioux City, and I am hopeful that this service will help to increase the air traffic in and out of Sioux City. Sioux City has historically done very well to leverage community assets like reliable air service to attract new opportunities, and today's decision ensures that it will be able to continue to do so for the foreseeable future."

"The Waterloo Regional Airport is a major economic engine for the Cedar Valley, connecting our community with a world of opportunities," said Rep. Bruce Braley (Iowa-01). "The beginning of American Airlines service between Waterloo and Chicago will be a major selling point for attracting new investment and new businesses looking to locate in Northeast Iowa. This is good news for job creation and economic growth in the Cedar Valley."

Here are the proposed schedules (all times local, subject to change):

Chicago O'Hare to Sioux City

Sioux City to Chicago O'Hare

Chicago O'Hare to Waterloo

Waterloo to Chicago O'Hare

About American Eagle
American Eagle – named Best Regional Airline in North America by the 2011 World Airline Awards – operates more than 1,500 daily flights to over 170 cities throughout the United States, Canada, the Bahamas, Mexico and the Caribbean on behalf of American Airlines. American, American Eagle and the AmericanConnection® carrier serve 260 airports in 50 countries and territories with, on average, more than 3,300 daily flights. The combined network fleet numbers more than 900 aircraft. American's award-winning website, AA.com®, provides users with easy access to check and book fares, plus personalized news, information and travel offers. American Airlines is a founding member of the oneworld® alliance, which brings together some of the best and biggest names in the airline business, enabling them to offer their customers more services and benefits than any airline can provide on its own. Together, its members and members-elect serve approximately 900 destinations with more than 10,000 daily flights to 149 countries and territories. American Airlines, Inc. and American Eagle Airlines, Inc. are subsidiaries of AMR Corporation. AmericanAirlines, American Eagle, AmericanConnection, AA.com and AAdvantage are registered trademarks of American Airlines, Inc. (NYSE: AMR).

AMR Corporation, and certain of its United States-based subsidiaries, including American Airlines, Inc. and AMR Eagle Holding Corporation, on Nov. 29 filed voluntary petitions for Chapter 11 reorganization in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York. More information about the Chapter 11 filing is available on the Internet at http://aa.com/restructuring.

Current AMR Corp. releases can be accessed on the Internet.

The address is http://www.aa.com

SOURCE American Eagle

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