ExpressJet Reports December 2009 Performance; Announces 2010 Fleet Allocation

HOUSTON, Jan. 11 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- ExpressJet Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: XJT), parent company of regional and charter airline operator, ExpressJet Airlines, Inc., today reported traffic and capacity results for December 2009 and announced its expected fleet allocation for 2010.

Scheduled Flying

During the month, ExpressJet revenue passenger miles (RPM) totaled 692 million, and available seat miles (ASM) flown were 873 million. ExpressJet's December load factor, operating as Continental Express, was 79.3%. The company flew 57,465 block hours and operated 29,975 departures during the month as Continental Express. During the month, ExpressJet transitioned four aircraft from its Continental Express flying to begin preparing for the multi-year agreement that begins with United Airlines in May 2010.

Corporate Aviation

ExpressJet flew 2,336 block hours during the month in its Corporate Aviation (charter) division, including 1,639 block hours flown under a short-term arrangement with United Airlines that began December 1. During the month, ExpressJet's fleet within the Corporate Aviation division consisted of eight 41-seat aircraft and 22 50-seat aircraft.

2010 Fleet Allocation

As previously announced, ExpressJet will operate 22 ERJ-145 aircraft under the United Express brand beginning in May 2010. Prior to May 1, 2010, ExpressJet will operate up to 22 aircraft under a short-term arrangement for United to assist with the transition of flying from their previous partner. The arrangement began with three aircraft on December 1, and is scheduled to increase to 22 aircraft by March 2010. With the addition of this flying, ExpressJet expects its 2010 fleet to equal 244 aircraft allocated as follows:

• 206 aircraft flying as Continental Express;
• 22 aircraft flying as United Express, increasing to 32 aircraft from May to October 2010; and
• 16 aircraft operating within the charter division, decreasing to six aircraft from May to October 2010.

The eight aircraft being transitioned from Continental Express are being subleased by ExpressJet.

About ExpressJet

ExpressJet Holdings operates several divisions designed to leverage the management experience, efficiencies and economies of scale present in its subsidiaries, including ExpressJet Airlines, Inc. and ExpressJet Services, LLC. ExpressJet Airlines serves 130 scheduled destinations in North America and the Caribbean with approximately 1,100 departures per day. Operations include a capacity purchase agreement for Continental as well as an announced agreement with United; providing clients customized 41-seat and 50-seat charter options (www.expressjet.com/charter); and supplying third-party aviation and ground handling services. For more information, visit www.expressjet.com.

                 EXPRESSJET HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                           PRELIMINARY STATISTICS

                               Month Ending                Month Ending
                             December 31, 2009           December 31, 2008
                         Continental   Corporate       Continental   Corporate
                             Express    Aviation           Express    Aviation
                         -----------   ---------       -----------   ---------

    Revenue
     Passenger
     Miles
     (millions)                  692                           625
    Available Seat
     Miles (ASM)
     (millions)                  873                           807
    Passenger Load
     Factor                     79.3%                         77.4%
    Block Hours               57,465       2,336            54,202         572
    Departures                29,975                        27,488
    Stage Length                 584                           589
    Fleet                        214          30               214          30

                         Continental   Corporate       Continental   Corporate
    Year to date             Express    Aviation           Express    Aviation
                         -----------   ---------       -----------   ---------

    Revenue
     Passenger
     Miles
     (millions)                7,848                         7,857
    Available Seat
     Miles (ASM)
     (millions)               10,142                        10,176
    Passenger Load
     Factor                     77.4%                         77.2%
    Block Hours              656,790      20,509           686,684       8,280
    Departures               349,733                       358,631
    Stage Length                 582                           582
    Fleet                        214          30               207          16


                          Year Over Year
                              Change
                      Continental   Corporate
                          Express    Aviation
                      -----------   ---------

    Revenue
     Passenger
     Miles
     (millions)                11%
    Available Seat
     Miles (ASM)
     (millions)                 8%
    Passenger Load
     Factor               2.0 pts
    Block Hours                 6%        n/m
    Departures                  9%
    Stage Length              (1%)
    Fleet                       0%          0%


                      Continental   Corporate
    Year to date          Express    Aviation
                      -----------   ---------

    Revenue
     Passenger
     Miles
     (millions)               (0%)
    Available Seat
     Miles (ASM)
     (millions)               (0%)
    Passenger Load
     Factor               0.2 pts
    Block Hours               (4%)        n/m
    Departures                (2%)
    Stage Length                0%
    Fleet                       3%         87%

SOURCE ExpressJet Holdings, Inc.