ExpressJet Holdings, Inc. (Houston), parent company of regional and charter airline operator, ExpressJet Airlines, Inc., yesterday (February 17) announced that it signed an agreement with United Airlines covering 22 Embraer ERJ 145 regional jet aircraft for United Express service effective December 1, 2009.  This signed agreement finalizes the previously announced successful bid by ExpressJet to replace flying done by other United Express partner carriers whose contracts have expired.  An additional 10 ERJ 145 aircraft, sourced from our Corporate Aviation (charter) fleet, were added through an amendment to the agreement and will begin operating for United Express on May 1, 2010.

ExpressJet ended January 2010 with ten aircraft in operation for United Express. ExpressJet expects the following monthly fleet plan for United Express for the first-half of 2010.

The agreement has an initial term of three years (expiring April 30, 2013) for 11 aircraft and two years (expiringApril 30, 2012) for the remaining 11 aircraft, and will have a renewal option, at United’s election, for additional periods up to a total term of five years.

From May 2010 through December 2010, ExpressJet will fly up to 10 additional aircraft for United Express in the current ExpressJet livery.  United will have the option to renew the operation of these aircraft for up to four additional periods of not less than thirty days per renewal period.  United must notify ExpressJet of its intention to renew for the initial renewal period no later than June 15th for the first six supplemental aircraft andAugust 15th for the remaining four additional aircraft.  In an effort to provide United with increased flexibility, the amendment to the agreement allows United to extend the renewal deadline for each aircraft upon certain terms and conditions.  If the renewal option is not exercised, the ten aircraft will be removed from service and placed into the Corporate Aviation (charter) operation.