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High-Flying Linear Air Launches Service Between White Plains, N.Y., And Nantucket

Posted on: Friday, 12 August 2005, 09:00 CDT

Linear Air, a premier air-taxi service that is transforming the private air travel industry, today announced that it is launching service between White Plains, N.Y., and Nantucket, capping an impressive first year in business that saw the company dramatically increase its employee base, aircraft fleet, and business partnerships.

In the latest initiative, Linear Air will kick off per-seat private charter service from Westchester County Airport in White Plains to Nantucket Friday evenings at 6 p.m. beginning Aug. 12. Return flights will occur on Sundays at 2:30 p.m. A one-way ticket will cost $349.

After Labor Day, Lexington, Mass.-based Linear Air also plans to offer regular weekday business service between White Plains and Hanscom Field in Bedford, Mass., near Boston.

"We're thrilled to be offering this expanded service to metro-New York businesspeople and families who are seeking an alternative to driving or difficult flight schedules," said William Herp, CEO of Linear Air. "We are confident that--just as with our Teterboro customers--White Plains travelers will find the Linear Air experience to be free of the hassles and pressures associated with other air carriers."

The most recent launch represents a pivotal growth point for a company that is revolutionizing the air-taxi industry. In the year since formally launching in August 2004 upon receiving certification from the Federal Aviation Administration, Linear Air has tripled its launch operations. Linear Air previously announced operations out of Hanscom Field and Teterboro Airport in Teterboro, N.J., outside New York City.

Additionally, Linear Air has grown from two employees to 25 workers, adding key positions such as director of business operations and corporate sales director. "Those positions have significantly bolstered our day-to-day operations, giving us an advantage in the competitive air-taxi marketplace," said Herp.

Further, the company in May purchased three additional aircraft, making it the largest operator of luxury Cessna Grand Caravans in the Northeast. Linear Air, based at Hanscom Field in Bedford, Mass., bought two Cessna Grand Caravans and a Cessna Skyhawk, bringing the total number of aircraft the one-year-old company has in its fleet to four.

Linear Air's accomplishments were hailed by officials at Massachusetts Port Authority, which operates Hanscom Field. "Hanscom continues to support the efforts of general aviation and Linear Air's mission to provide alternative business travel for its constituents," said Craig P. Coy, CEO of Massport. "We congratulate Linear Air on its successes this past year."

Linear Air also claimed the distinction of being the first operational company with a very light jet--commonly known as VLJ--jet-taxi strategy. "We've built a sizable customer base flying Cessna Caravans in the Northeast United States and we're confident that the Caravan is a good proxy for the trip profile and operating cost of the VLJs," added Herp.

VLJs represent a revolutionary new class of business jet that will reduce the cost of flying a private jet by almost half from today's alternatives. Several companies are developing these exciting new aircraft, and Linear Air has signed a letter of intent to purchase 25 VLJs from the leading manufacturer.

Linear Air already offers per-seat private charter service between Hanscom Field outside Boston and Teterboro Airport outside New York City, and from both airports to Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket. The company also provides on-demand charter service to more than 500 cities in the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic and Canada. The company plans to add service in three additional major metropolitan areas during the course of the next year.

Linear Air also embarked on several key partnerships during the year. The company announced pivotal partnerships with Nantucket Island Resorts, direct wine marketer Geerlings & Wade, and Boston Coach, the leading executive car service provider in the northeast United States. In that development, those customers were awarded gifts of free or discounted private air travel to and from Boston or New York City to hundreds of charter destinations or regular service to Martha's Vineyard or Nantucket.

Other initiatives during the year ranged from offering travelers fare-busting season tickets to Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket to launching service to ski country in northern New England and eastern Canada.

"It's been a tremendously rewarding year for the entire Linear Air team and we expect to continue to lead the way in the air-taxi industry during the next year," said Herp.

About Linear Air

Linear Air, based in Lexington, Mass., is a premier air-taxi service that is transforming the private air travel industry. With operations out of Hanscom Field in Bedford, Mass., near Boston, and Teterboro Airport in Teterboro, N.J., and Westchester County Airport in White Plains, N.Y., both outside New York City, Linear Air provides short-hop private air travel at airline rates. The company offers executives and families personalized customer service, flexibility and convenience at attractive fares.

For more information about Linear Air or to book a flight, please visit www.linearair.com or call 781-860-9696 or 1-877-2-LINEAR.

Source: Business Wire

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