November 24 , 2008

Direct Air Celebrates First Day of Service into Lehigh Valley Internetional Airport

Allentown, PA - Officials from the Lehigh-Northampton Airport Authority and Direct Air today welcomed the first day of new air service into Lehigh Valley International Airport.  The flight, arriving from Charlotte County Airport in Punta Gorda, Florida, is offered by Direct Air, an air carrier based in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.  Charlotte County airport serves the greater Fort Myers/Naples area of southwest Florida.  “We are looking forward to the start of Direct Air’s nonstop service to this exciting new destination,” stated George F. Doughty, Executive Director for the Lehigh-Northampton Airport Authority.  “The southwest area of Florida is a popular region for service from our market.”

Direct Air currently uses Airbus A320 and A319 aircraft chartered from Virgin America.  The A320 aircraft, with 8 First-Class and 141 Coach-Class all-leather seats, as well as the A319 aircraft, with 8 First-Class and 114 Coach-Class all-leather seats, offers plasma screen TVs featuring movies and video games, touch service screens, satellite radio aboard each flight.  The flights are staffed by Virgin America’s award-winning flight crews.

Direct Air currently provides service between Myrtle Beach, SC; Newark, NJ; Niagara Falls, NY; Plattsburgh, NY, Kalamazoo, MI, Toledo, OH, Worcester, MA, Orlando-Sanford, FL, Punta Gorda, FL, Allentown, PA and Pittsburgh, PA and has carried more than 187,000 passengers since the start of operations in March, 2007.  The company will begin offering airfares from Allentown beginning at a customarily lowest-advertised fare of $99 each way, with First-Class seats available as an upgrade in advance of travel for $100 each way.  Tickets may be purchased by going to www.visitdirectair.com, or by calling 1.877.432.DIRECT (3473).

“Direct Air has built a strong niche service in developing secondary airports,” says Judy Tull, CEO of Direct Air.  “We’re delighted to help expand service from Lehigh Valley International Airport, and are confident that our service, featuring nonstop service, low fares and convenient departure times, will be a part of the Allentown area for a long time to come.”

Ed Warneck, President of Direct Air states “The response from eastern Pennsylvania has been very encouraging.  Our low fares and great flight schedules are appealing to a broad range of travelers who want to travel quickly, and at a great rate.  Plus, Direct Air is making it easy for everyone to fly from Allentown in style and comfort, with designer Airbus jets from Virgin America!”

Flights are Public Charters operated by Virgin America. Advertised airfares are one-way and include Federal Excise Tax of 7.5%. Airfares do not include September 11th Security Fees of $2.50 per person, Federal Flight Segment Taxes of $3.50 per person, Passenger Facility Charges (PFC) of up to $4.50 per person, and Convenience Fees of $10 per person per flight segment.  See Direct Air’s Operator-Participant Agreement for full disclosures.