RAA Announces Regional Air Service Advocacy Initiative.

Business Editors

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 6, 2001

The Regional Air Service Initiative (RASI), an industry-wide public relations effort established to promote local air service for the 21st Century, launched its campaign today during a press conference at the Regional Airline Association's Annual Fall Meeting in Washington, DC.

A joint program of key industry suppliers working with the Regional Airline Association (RAA), RASI announced the creation of a new website (www.regionalairservice.org) that will be hot-linked to RAA's existing homepage.

The website provides the public, government representatives, suppliers, air carriers, airports and news media with a comprehensive source of information on

the regional airline industry and how this service is the key to future air travel in the United States.

"We are very pleased to participate in the launch of RASI today. This PR effort will provide regulators, organized labor, media and the flying public accurate information about the importance of regional jet service today and its contribution to the national air transportation system," said RAA President Deborah C. McElroy.

The website is broken-down into eight unique sections and provides background information, high-resolution photos of the new technology aircraft, and a comprehensive resources database. In addition, industry market conditions, post 9/11 impact and in-depth analysis of the U.S. regional airline industry will also be available.

One of the site's most important features will be an interactive route map of regional jet schedules to more than 200 North American airports. The site will also address topical matters, including airport capacity, regulation and demand management proposals. The RASI site also lists useful resources, links, and contact details of industry experts for media outlets covering the aviation industry.

Regional jets seating between 30 and 90-pasengers are built by: BAE Systems (London: BA.L); Bombardier (Toronto: BBDa.TO); Embraer (NYSE: ERJ); and Fairchild Dornier. Major RJ operators in North America include: Air Canada (Toronto: AC.TO); Americna Airlines (NYSE:AMR); Atlantic Coast Airlines (Nasdaq: ACAI); Continental Airlines (NYSE: CAL); Delta Air Lines (NYSE: DAL); Mesa Air Group (Nasdaq: MESA); Mesaba Airlines (Nasdaq: MAIR); and SkyWest Airlines (Nasdaq: SKYW).

Background: Developed during the past year, RASI has been spearheaded by a 10-member board comprised of manufacturer, supplier, airline and RAA associate members.

"Regional jets have, in less than 10 years time, become an invaluable part of the U.S. commercial airline industry, augmenting the existing schedules of major carriers and establishing new markets never before served nonstop," said RASI Board Chairman Doug Abbey of AvStat Associates. He added the RASI website is to become a one-stop resource for all visitors who simply want to know more about regional airline service and regional jets.

RAA represents U.S. regional airlines, and the manufacturers of products and services that support the industry, before the Congress, DOT, FAA and other federal agencies. Founded in 1975, RAA also provides a wide array of technical and public relations activities for regional airlines. The association's member airlines transport 94 percent of total regional airline industry passengers.