MEDIA RELEASE

For Immediate Release:

New US Airways Express Carrier to Serve Hagerstown Regional Airport

(Hagerstown, MD March 17, 2004) -- US Airways Express has announced that wholly owned carrier Piedmont Airlines will begin serving Hagerstown Regional Airport on Sunday, May 2, 2004.  US Airways Express affiliate carrier Shuttle America had previously served Hagerstown three times daily using 30-seat Saab 340 aircraft.

Piedmont will be upgrading capacity and frequency between Hagerstown and Pittsburgh, utilizing the 37-seat, deHavilland Dash-8 aircraft on four daily roundtrip flights. Every flight features all the normal conveniences of modern air travel, including flight attendant service, overhead bin storage, and a lavatory. These airplanes are newer and larger than what is presently operating at Hagerstown Regional Airport. 

Hagerstown Regional Airport Manager Carolyn Motz said, “Having worked with US Airways’ contractors for more that 15 years, we welcome this opportunity to further improve our strong relationship with the carrier by working directly with the airline and its wholly owned subsidiaries.”  Motz also commented that "These newer and more spacious aircraft will provide an even more comfortable experience for our patrons. It is terrific that US Airways has renewed its commitment to our region during these exciting times at the airport."

Separately, US Airways plans to merge Piedmont and Pennsylvania-based Allegheny Airlines. The resulting company will continue operations as Piedmont Airlines. Coincidentally the Allegheny commuter airline first began in Hagerstown, by aviation pioneer Richard A. Henson.  In 1967, Henson Aviation joined with the former Allegheny Airlines (now US Airways) to become the leader in forming the first "codeshare" affiliation that now dominates the airline industry worldwide. The airfield in Hagerstown is named in Henson's honor.

Daily schedules and additional information are available at Hagerstown Regional Airport’s web site www.FlyHagerstown.com of by calling US Airways at 1-800-428-4322.

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