ExpressJet Airlines adds Reno

RENO -- ExpressJet Airlines will begin daily service from the Reno-Tahoe International Airport beginning Nov. 11, the carrier announced Monday.

ExpressJet will have daily nonstop service to four locations now not served on a nonstop basis from Reno, including Spokane, Wash., Long Beach, Calif., Ontario, Calif., and Tucson.

ExpressJet officials promised competitive fares and said they will hire between 15 and 20 people locally for jobs at ramp gates and ticket counters. The company plans to invest $375,000 in facilities and equipment at the Reno-Tahoe airport.

"The addition of ExpressJet gives us new nonstop service to and from four great markets just in time for the start of ski season," said John Wagnon, chairman of the Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority. "This is terrific news for our region."

ExpressJet flies 50-seat Brazilian-built Embraer 145 aircraft that seat 50 passengers. Passengers are able to listen to 100 free channels on XM Satellite Radio.

Express Jet's strategy has been to connect medium-sized markets that had not previously been connected with nonstop flights. The company also flies as a regional partner for Continental, but began flying some flights under its own brand after Continental did not extend a contract for some of ExpressJet's operations.

Jim Ream, ExpressJet's CEO, said Reno-Tahoe is the right-sized market for the airline's 50-seat aircraft.

"We can provide value by saving our Reno-Tahoe customers time and making their travel more convenient," Ream said.

ExpressJet's 12 daily flights will increase the Reno-Tahoe airport's daily flights to 182, officials said.

The Reno Gazette-Journal is owned by Gannett, parent company of USA TODAY. The Associated Press and USA TODAY staff contributed to this report.