~YEXPRESSJET. 

June 2, 2014 

Kevin Schlemmer 

Office of Aviation Analysis 

US Department of Transportation 

1200 New Jersey Ave SE 

Washington, D.C. 20590 

Proposal for ExpressJet Airlines to Provide Essential Air Service in Meridian and 

Laurel/Hattiesburg, Mississippi 

Dear Mr. Schlemmer: 

ExpressJet Airlines welcomes the opportunity to provide direct air service from Meridian 

and Laurel/Hattiesburg to Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport under the Essential Air 

Service program. Our attached proposal, submitted as a combined package of service to 

both communities, will provide customers in each community with access to one of the 

world's largest airline networks- a crucial element to help drive continued economic 

success in the region. 

American Airlines' Network 

Under our proposal, Meridian and Laurel/Hattiesburg passengers would be seamlessly 

connected into American Airlines' global network of more than 3,500 daily flights to 270 

airports. As the largest member of the oneworld Alliance network, this connectivity with 

American Airlines would also allow travelers access to more than 13,800 daily flights to 

nearly all parts of the globe. This ensures it is simple for passengers to plan their travel to 

virtually any destination. 

Frequency and Schedule 

As requested in the RFP, we will offer 12 round trip flights per week to each community, 

including a combination of direct and one-stop flights for both communities. On 

weekdays, this schedule will provide a morning departure out of the communities, 

midday round trip and evening arrivals. The morning and evening flights would be 

available on the weekends. 

For illustrative purpose, the following is an example of our proposed flight schedule: 

MEl PIB PIB DFW 

6:00 6:44 7:04 8:38 

DFW PIB PIB MEl MEl DFW 

10:00 11:34 11:54 12:38 12:58 14:34 

DFW PIB PIB MEl 

20:00 21:34 21:54 22:38 
While the times above would likely change as a schedule is implemented, all flights will 

be timed to ensure they offer passengers maximum connection opportunities in 

Dallas/Fort Worth. This ensures the flights are convenient for business and leisure 

travelers. And with more than 750 American or American Eagle departures per day, it is 

easy to get to destinations around the world from Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport. 

Aircraft Availability 

Each flight from Meridian and Hattiesburg/Laurel will be onboard the 50-seat Canadair 

Regional Jet 200 (CRJ200). ExpressJet is among the largest domestic operators of this 

proven aircraft type, and these aircraft are already available for service on the route. 

A flight attendant is available to ensure the safety of passengers on all Express] et CRJ 

aircraft. Each are also equipped with a lavatory, further adding to the comfort and 

convenience of our passengers. 

Summary 

Given the connectivity at Dallas/Fort Worth, the well-timed schedule, and reliable 

equipment, we expect to see strong demand from passengers utilizing the service and 

believe this proposal provides the best overall option for air service in the Meridian and 

Laurel/Hattiesburg communities. If awarded, we will also work with each of the 

communities and airport partners to market the service. 

ExpressJet is excited about the opportunity to provide reliable air service to Meridian and 

Laurel/Hattiesburg, Mississippi. 

Thank you for your consideration. 

Sincerely, 

Wade Steel 

Executive Vice President 

SkyWest, Inc. 
ExpressJet Airlines 

Essential Air Service Bid 2014-2016 2014-2016 2014-2016 

6/2/2014 

PIB MEl MEl GRAND 

DFW DFW PIB TOTAL 

Number of round-trips per week 9.5 2.5 9.5 

Aircraft type CRJ200 CRJ200 CRJ200 

Passenger Revenue 

Passengers 12,000 13,000 25,000 

Average fare $ 90.00 $ 90.00 

Revenue $ 1,080,000 $ 1,170,000 $ $ 2,250,000 

Block Time 

Trip block time {minutes) 94 96 44 

Total scheduled block time 1,548 416 725 2,688 

Total completed block time 98% 1,517 408 710 2,635 

RPMS 

Passengers 12,000 13,000 25,000 

Stage length 462 485 67 

5,544,000 6,305,000 11,849,000 

ASMs 

Scheduled departures 988 260 988 2,236 

Competed departures 98% 968 255 968 2,191 

Stage length 462 485 83 

Available Seats 50 so 50 50 

22,822,800 6,305,000 4,100,200 33,228,000 

Revenue $ 1,080,000 $ 1,170,000 $ $ 2,250,000 

Direct operating expenses $ 4,626,573 $ 1,243,424 $ 2,165,630 $ 8,035,628 

Departure related $ 687,576 $ 180,941 $ 687,576 $ 1,556,094 

Total expenses $ 5,314,150 $ 1,424,365 $ 2,853,206 $ 9,591,721 

Operating income {loss) $ {4,234,150) $ {254,365) $ {2,853,206) $ {7,341,721) 

5% profit margin $ 265,707 $ 71,218 $ 142,660 $ 479,586 

Subsidy requirement $ 4,499,857 $ 325,583 $ 2,995,867 $ 7,821,307 

ExpressJet effective rates per unit 

Cost per trip $ 4,377 

Cost per passenger $ 384 

ExpressJet cost per block hour $ 3,641 

Effective Subsidy rate per unit 

Subsidy per trip $ 3,569 

Subsidy per passenger $ 313 

Load factor 36%