Houston-based ExpressJet Holdings Inc., a regional airline, apparently plans to introduce service to an array of U.S. cities, including San Diego.
The company, traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol XJT, operates flights for Continental Airlines Inc.
Expectations are that the carrier’s 44 50-seat jets will roll out service to 24 Western, Midwestern and Southeastern cities between April and May. An official announcement detailing routes is anticipated on Monday, Feb. 5.
According to analysts, ExpressJet’s aim is to provide direct flights between cities where such service currently does not exist. The airline’s theory, they say, is to connect routes that are too small to attract major competitors, but big enough for a couple of flights on small jets daily.
Shares in Continental Airlines Inc., traded on the NYSE as CAL, closed at $41.51 on Jan. 30, down $1.38 from the day before. Shares in ExpressJet closed Jan. 30 at $7.80, down 20 cents from the day before.
, Connie Lewis
