Atlantic Coast Airlines Holdings, Inc. today announced it has contracted
with IBM`s Global Services division to design new next-generation customer
service systems for Independence Air—the low-fare airline that will
serve Washington Dulles International Airport and 50 other destinations
across the U.S.—that will assist in speeding passengers through the
airport check-in process, making air travel faster and easier.

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Kerry Skeen said, “One of the
hallmarks of Independence Air is putting the customer first in everything
we do. One important way we will demonstrate that commitment is by
offering new technological improvements that create a fast, flexible and
efficient airport experience for our customers.” He added, “IBM`s
creativity and experience makes them the perfect partner to help us
develop the airport customer service innovations we will introduce when we
begin service as Independence Air.”

Systems in development for Independence Air include electronic check-in
kiosks to assist passengers in selecting seat assignments, meal options,
flight schedule changes, as well as printing baggage tags and promotional
coupons.
The Independence Air hub at Washington Dulles will be the largest low-fare
hub in America, with over 325 daily departures to destinations up and down
the East Coast, to Florida, the Midwest and across the country to
California and other West Coast cities. Service will be provided using a
fleet of over 100 jet aircraft, including Airbus A319s and A320s as well
as the fast, convenient CRJ.

The “preview” website for Independence Air is available now at
http://www.flyi.com/. Once an official start date for service is
announced, customers will be able to make reservations directly on the
site. Web visitors who sign up for membership to the “i club” will receive
additional information about Independence Air services, and be offered the
opportunity to take advantage of special offers and promotions available
only to members.

Atlantic Coast Airlines currently operates as United Express and Delta
Connection in the Eastern and Midwestern United States as well as Canada.
On July 28, 2003, the company announced plans to operate as Independence
Air—an independent low-fare airline based at Washington Dulles—once
it ceases to operate as United Express.

The company has a fleet of 145 aircraft—including a total of 120
regional jets—and offers over 840 daily departures, serving 84
destinations. The company employs approximately 4,600 aviation
professionals.
For more information about Atlantic Coast Airlines Holdings, Inc., please
visit our website at http://www.atlanticcoast.com/. For more information
about Independence Air, please visit our “preview” site at
http://www.flyi.com/.
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