For Release: Wednesday, June 15, 2005
Contact: David Gillies: 202-225-5661

REGIONSAIR TO CONTINUE FLIGHTS TO ST. LOUIS

Washington - U.S. Congressman Jerry Costello (D-IL) announced today that RegionsAir has been selected to continue Essential Air Service from Marion to St. Louis for the next two years.  The Federal Aviation Administration has awarded a two-year contract for 26 weekly round trips.   

"This is the outcome that local leaders preferred and I worked to achieve," Costello said.  "Maintaining easy access to St. Louis is critical to the regional economy and RegionsAir has done a good job providing this service," said Costello, the ranking Democrat on the House Aviation Subcommittee. 

When it was announced that the carrier for this service would be reviewed, the mayors of both Herrin and Marion consulted with Costello and their preference was that RegionsAir remain the carrier.  The term of service is June 1, 2005 through May 31, 2007.

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