Northwest Airlines today
announced new nonstop jet service between its hub at Memphis, Tenn., and
Gainesville, Fla. Two daily flights will be offered beginning Sept. 20.

“Northwest Airlines welcomes Gainesville to our growing worldwide
network,” said Tom Bach, vice president of market planning and Airlink.
“This new service provides additional options for local travelers as well
as visitors to north-central Florida. Customers traveling through our
hassle-free Memphis hub will find convenient connections to destinations
throughout the United States and to such cities as Toronto, Canada, and
Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Northwest Airlines looks forward to working
with the local community to make this new service a success.”

“It is with great pleasure that we welcome Northwest Airlines to
north-central Florida,” said Jon Morris, chairman of the
Gainesville-Alachua County Regional Airport Authority. “This new gateway
to the West and Midwest will add new service that this market desperately
needs.”

“Northwest will offer additional seat capacity on jet aircraft, through
one of the most efficient hub airports in the industry,” added Rick
Crider, chief executive officer of the Gainesville Regional Airport. “I
look for a very strong and very positive community response to this
tremendous new service enhancement.”

“This is a great opportunity for the Gainesville Airport to expand its
already excellent service,” said U.S. Rep. Corrine Brown (D-Fla.), whose
district includes the airport. “The Gainesville Airport has been growing
by leaps and bounds, and I believe this new partnership will greatly
benefit the flying public.”

“I have worked with the Gainesville airport to expand and enhance
services, and I applaud the decision of Northwest Airlines to provide new
nonstop jet service between Memphis and Gainesville, which will open new
travel options to the residents of the Gainesville area,” added U.S. Rep.
Cliff Stearns (R-Fla.).

The service will be operated with Northwest Airlink partner Pinnacle
Airlines Corp.‘s Canadair Regional Jet (CRJ), which seats up to 50
passengers. The CRJ features a spacious cabin with comfortable two-by-two
leather seating and other cabin amenities similar to larger jets, such as
overhead bins, a galley, lavatory, and an efficient climate control system
to ensure passenger comfort.
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