American Eagle Announces Non-Stop Jet Flights to Chicago from Flint's Bishop International Airport

(Flint, Michigan) Flint's Bishop International Airport (FNT): American Eagle, the regional affiliate of American Airlines, will add nonstop service between Flint Bishop International Airport and Chicago O'Hare International Airport beginning Dec. 15. American Eagle will operate two daily round-trip flights between the two cities using 44-seat ERJ-140 jets.

Jim Rice, Airport Director: "Chicago, here we come! This is a great day for Southeastern Michigan travelers. We are so fortunate. The support our airport receives from each and every one of our fliers, our area leaders and airport authority board members make the return of this jet service to Chicago possible. Having American Eagle join our other top-notch carriers gives travelers one more reason to believe that Flint is the smart way to fly."

"Our new service between Flint and O'Hare will provide business travelers the opportunity to hold meetings in Chicago and return home the same day or make easy connections via American's hub at Chicago O'Hare to destinations around the world," said American Eagle President Peter Bowler. "Bishop International Airport has seen tremendous growth over the past several years, and our service is designed to meet that growing demand."

The schedule for the new service is as follows (all times local):

FLINT TO CHICAGO (FNT-ORD)

*Service begins Dec. 16.

CHICAGO TO FLINT (ORD-FNT)

"It's incredible to have Chicago service back at Bishop Airport," stated Rick Hammel, Genesee County Commissioner, "our whole community is proud of the service we are able to offer the region from the facility. Everyone loves its convenience and friendly atmosphere; we are proud to have been involved in the meetings that led to American Eagle returning to Flint."

Bishop International Airport and Genesee County have teamed up with the Oakland County government to increase the flight opportunities and passenger traffic at FNT. As a result of this phenomenal partnership, an ever-growing number of Bishop Airport passengers are coming from the Oakland County region. This number continues to escalate as their residents discover how convenient, friendly and affordable it is to fly from Flint.

L. Brooks Patterson, Oakland County Executive: "This is great news for all of us in Oakland County who use Flint's Bishop International Airport. Our businesses have a tremendous amount of international and Chicago travel-ties. We are pleased to have played a part in acquiring this new service. Congratulations to my friends from the North!"

ABOUT AMERICAN EAGLE

American Eagle is the largest U.S. regional airline, operating over 1,700 daily flights to more than 140 cities throughout the United States, Canada, the Bahamas, Mexico and the Caribbean on behalf of American Airlines. American Airlines is the world's largest carrier. American, American Eagle and the AmericanConnection® regional carriers serve more than 250 cities in over 40 countries with more than 3,800 daily flights. The combined network fleet numbers more than 1,000 aircraft. American's award-winning Web site, 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 oneworldsm 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 serve more than 600 destinations in 135 countries and territories. American Airlines and American Eagle are units of the AMR Corporation.

Bishop International Airport (FNT) is "The smart way to fly", and has been predicted to be the second fastest growing airport in the nation from 2000 to 2010, according to a recent study by Michael J. Boyd of The Boyd Group. Flint also offers the lowest average airfares in the state. Currently, the facility is served by AirTran Airways, with nonstop jet service to Ft. Myers, Tampa, Orlando and Atlanta; Continental Connection, with Cleveland service; Delta Connection, with jet flights to Atlanta; Midwest Connect, featuring nonstop service to Milwaukee; Northwest Airlines, with nonstop flights to Minneapolis, Orlando, Tampa, Ft. Myers and Detroit, and by Funjet Vacations. For reservations and flight information from Flint, visit our web site at www.bishopairport.org