FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Carla L. Firestone, Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority Communications Director
Mobile: 419-260-9981 -- Office: 419-243-8251

DELTA AIR LINES TO INCREASE SERVICE AT TOLEDO EXPRESS

TOLEDO, Ohio, March 9, 2009 – Beginning in April 2009 Delta Air Lines will be adding two more daily flights to Detroit Metro from Toledo Express and will replace some of the smaller aircraft with larger jets, creating a 48% increase in passenger capacity from this time last year.

“We are incredibly pleased with this announcement of increased service to Detroit. This comes during a particularly difficult time for air passenger service and is a win for the travel community that utilizes Toledo Express,” said Paul L. Toth, Interim Airports Director for the Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority, operator of Toledo Express Airport.

“We are continuing to leverage opportunities created as a result of the merger with Northwest and have identified Toledo as a city that could benefit from additional capacity,” said Joe Esposito, Delta’s managing director – schedule planning. “This additional service will further enhance connection opportunities to the over 125 domestic and 20 international destinations we serve from our Detroit hub.”

Upgraded service to Detroit Metro will be flown with 50-seat Canadair Regional Jets (CRJ) operated by Delta Connection carrier Pinnacle Airlines. The new jets will replace some of the Saab 340B (SF3) aircrafts that have 34 seats. Delta Air Lines will now offer 252 daily seats out of Toledo Express to Detroit Metro beginning April 6, 2009 on three SF3's and three CRJ's. Pinnacle Airlines has indicated this increase in passenger service will also allow them to increase their staffing level at Toledo Express, resulting in new jobs.

“We hope that the Toledo travel community finds these additional flights convenient as they hit most of the major connecting flights out of Detroit Metro. Departing and arriving from Toledo is not only is more efficient but also supports the local economy and we encourage our community to check the viability of flying out of Toledo Express first,” says Paul Toth.

The schedule beginning April 6, 2009 is as follows:

The Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority’s business is transportation. That business is shaped by our mission to move people and cargo through the region while employing innovative finance programs to stimulate economic development. For more information, please visit www.toledoportauthority.org.