Compass Airlines has received Federal Aviation Administration
(FAA) certification to begin commercial passenger operations using a
50-seat Bombardier CRJ200 jet aircraft.Based in Chantilly, Va., Compass will operate as a Northwest
Airlink partner airline, serving communities in the Heartland of the
U.S. and beyond from Northwest Airline’s Detroit, Minneapolis/St. Paul
and Memphis hubs.

  “This is an exciting day for everyone at Compass Airlines,” said
Neal Cohen, Compass chairman and chief executive officer, and
Northwest Airlines executive vice president and chief financial
officer. “The Compass team has worked extremely hard to reach this
milestone and we look forward to starting passenger operations in the
very near future.”

  Compass has also received the necessary Department of
Transportation approvals for commercial passenger service.

  The regional airline expects to begin operations in May using a
50-seat CRJ200 regional jet aircraft between Minneapolis/St. Paul
(MSP) and Dulles International Airport (IAD), near Washington, DC.

  During the third quarter of 2007, Compass expects to launch
service utilizing the first of 36 Embraer 175 aircraft that Northwest
ordered for Compass last year. The Embraer 175 will accommodate 76
passengers in a dual class configuration, with 12 seats in first class
and 64 seats in coach class. Compass expects to operate a fleet of 10
Embraer 175 aircraft by the end of 2007, and 36 aircraft by the end of
2008.

  “The Embraer 175 is a modern aircraft that will offer customers a
comfortable and efficient flight experience,” said John Bendoraitis,
Compass executive vice president and chief operating officer. “The
features of these aircraft, including dual class service, will provide
customers with best in class cabin comfort.”
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