The end of XJet - Fuel forces out branded product

© ExpressJet

Another individually branded, regional jet airline is about to stop flying. ExpressJet says it will shutter its branded service on September 2. The move follows some two-and-a-half years after Washington, DC-based Independence Air shut down. It flew mostly Canadair Regional Jets. ExpressJet flies Embraers. The economics of both fleets (smaller, sub-50 seat aircraft) worked against the carriers.

“If we had any other choice [but to shut down], we would not take this difficult action,” says Jim Ream, ExpressJet President and CEO. “Rising fuel prices [have] made the operation impossible to sustain.”

ExpressJet's branded service was predicated on the premise that people would pay for nonstop flights on routes where they'd formerly had to connect. Flyers liked the idea, but sky-high fuel prices rendered the business model impractical.

If you've got reservations on ExpressJet after September 1, contact the carrier's reservations line at 1-888-958-9538 for a refund.

This doesn't mean the end of ExpressJet per se. The carrier says it will continue to fly a fleet of 205 aircraft under Continental Express colors to more than 150 destinations.

© Cheapflights Ltd Jerry Chandler

Comments

[Christel Santo]

Feedback for the airline:

It sickens me to find out that you are not going to continue as ExpressJet. I've enjoyed your service and am extremely sorry that this economy has forced you to stop. I hope, if things turn around, you will entertain the idea of trying again. The public needs your services.
Thank you.

[kj]

Now that oil prices have dropped quite a lot how about continuing the service from San Diego to Fresno and other routes. All your customers are very concerned and will be highly inconvenienced. We won't mind some increases in fair either.