TOLEDO, Ohio, November 20, 2008 – The Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority hosts the first of two weekly Direct Air flights to Punta Gorda, Florida - situated between Sarasota and Ft. Myers, Florida – on Monday, November 24, 2008. The incoming flight from Punta Gorda arrives at 10 a.m. and departs Toledo Express at 10:45 a.m. for Punta Gorda.

TIMELINE
9 – 9:40 A.M. — PASSENGER CHECK-IN - ON-THE-SPOT INTERVIEWS
9:40 A.M. — MEDIA ESCORTED TO TERMINAL WAITING AREAS OR TARMAC
10 A.M. — FLIGHT ARRIVES – ON-THE-SPOT INTERVIEWS
10:15 – 10:30 A.M. — MEDIA TO FILM VIRGIN AMERICA A320 AIRPLANE INTERVIEWS WITH DIRECT AIR PRESIDENT, ED WARNECK
10:45 A.M. — PLANE DEPARTS FOR PUNTA GORDA, FLORIDA

If media crews show up after 9:40 a.m., entrance to the terminal may be delayed. The Direct Air aircrafts that will be flown from Toledo Express Airport are unique as they are part of Virgin America's signature upscale designed Airbus A320. The brand new planes feature mood lighting; custom-designed leather seats with 110 volt power outlets; individual touch-screen entertainment systems with pay-per-view movies and videogames and also offer over 3000 MP3’s on every flight. An online demonstration of the Virgin America Airbus A320 can be found at: http://vadifference.virginamerica.com/vadiff/index.html .

Direct Air’s nonstop service to Punta Gorda is available on Monday’s and Friday’s from Toledo Express and fares currently start at $49 each way.

In addition to Punta Gorda, Direct Air has added two weekly direct flights to Myrtle Beach to their service routes from Toledo Express. The Myrtle Beach flights begin in March 2009 and can be booked now. The first Myrtle Beach flight will occur on March 6, 2009 and fares begin at $99. Direct Air will fly DC9 Aircraft operated by USA Jet when the Myrtle Beach service begins. This aircraft features 105 coach seats. When announcing the additional destination, Direct Air also extended service to Punta Gorda through May 18, 2009 as service was originally available through February 2009.

“This is an exciting day for Toledo. We are appreciative that Direct Air is providing Toledoans the opportunity to fly direct to Punta Gorda, Florida or Myrtle Beach, South Carolina with convenient service and low fares,” says Eric Frankl, Airports Director, Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority. “We need the support of the community for this service to be successful.”

Direct Air chose Toledo for several factors including the 12 million travelers that reside within twohours of Toledo Express Airport “Direct Air has built a strong niche service in developing secondary airports,” says Judy Tull, CEO of Direct Air. “We’re confident that we can we can provide excellent service via Toledo Express Airport with our nonstop flights, low fares and convenient departure times.” Toledo Express offers easy access from northwest Ohio and southeastern Michigan, convenient and affordable parking and quick service inside the terminal. Toledo Express also offers a trip calculator to help consumers determine the true cost of flying out of Toledo Express versus other airports. Book tickets, sign up for weekly deal alerts and calculate the true cost of your next trip via www.flytoledoexpress.com.

Myrtle Beach International Airport (MYR) is the gateway to the Grand Strand and South Carolina's most visited tourist destination - 60 miles of beautiful beaches with limitless golf courses stretching from the state's northern border, south to the historic port city of Georgetown. MYR is conveniently located in the heart of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

Direct Air currently services Myrtle Beach, S.C., Newark, N.J., Niagara Falls, N.Y., Plattsburgh, N.Y., Columbus, Ohio, and Pittsburgh, Pa., and has carried more than 200,000 passengers since the start of operations in March, 2007. The company recently announced expansion into Worcester, Mass., Kalamazoo, Mich., Toledo, Ohio, Allentown, Pa., and Rockford, Ill., beginning this fall. Direct Air offers low air fares and periodic specials. First class upgrades are available on the Airbus aircraft for $100 each way. Tickets may be purchased by going to www.visitdirectair.com, or by calling 1.877.432.DIRECT (3473).

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.