Gary / Chicago International Airport
PRESS RELEASE

Gary/Chicago International Airport Sets Inaugural Flight For February 25

MEDIA CONTACTS
Gini Dietrich, 312-884-5194(gini.dietrich@armentdietrich.com)
Denise Williams
Marketing Communications Director
(219) 949-4910 (dwilliams@219.com)

FOR: Gary/Chicago International Airport Gary, Ind.

SOUTHEAST FIRST AIRLINE TO OFFER FLORIDA VACATIONS THROUGH AIRPORT

Gary, Ind. (Feb. 23, 2004) - The Gary/Chicago International Airport , (www.garychicagoairport.com), dedicated to providing quality service, low cost, and convenient access, is ready for the Southeast Airlines inaugural flight on Wednesday, Feb. 25 at 5:30 p.m. CST.

"We are thrilled to have another option for Chicagoland travelers," says Paul Karas, airport administrator. "Depending on where you live or work, Gary/Chicago can be more convenient than Midway and O'Hare because the expressways are here, the rail connections are here, and we're close to the Loop. Just 25 miles away or 35 minutes, in fact."

The Southeast Airlines inaugural flight will depart at 5:30 p.m. CST to St. Petersburg/Clearwater, Fla. Travelers then can begin flying to Florida from Gary/Chicago on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays with fares starting at just $69* (excluding taxes and airport fees) each way.

Why fly Gary/Chicago?

Gary/Chicago is the new "Shortcut to Florida," located just 25 miles and 35 minutes from downtown Chicago. People will be surprised to know that the new airport is closer than Midway or O'Hare for nearly three million people, and provides quick and easy access, as well as a direct flight to Florida.

Gary/Chicago offers Florida vacationers a variety of benefits:

• Multiple highways - Gary/Chicago offers convenient access to Chicagoland. Highway connections include I-90, I-80/94, I-65, the Chicago Skyway, the Dan Ryan Expressway, and Lake Shore Drive.
• Renovated terminal - Convenient parking, new ticket counters, three gates, and automated baggage return.
• Ground transportation - Convenient ground transportation to downtown Chicago and surrounding areas via South Shore commuter rail, limousine service, bus lines, and van and taxi services. Enterprise Rent-A-Car and Hertz rental car services also are on airport property.
• Free parking - Free, secured parking spaces right at the front door.

We're very proud of the benefits we offer at Gary/Chicago," says Karas. "We have free parking, no matter how long you're out-of-town. It's absolutely the most convenient, economical, and hassle-free way to go to Florida."

Southeast Airlines

Southeast Airlines will provide four weekly flights from Gary/Chicago to St. Petersburg/Clearwater, Fla. St. Petersburg/Clearwater serves as a gateway to other close tourist destinations, including Tampa Bay, Orlando, and Sarasota. Additionally, St. Petersburg/Clearwater has many choices for cruise line destinations. For reservations as low as $69* (excluding taxes and airport fees) each way, visit the Southeast Airlines Web site at www.flyseal.com or call 1-800-FLY-SEAL.

"We are pleased that Southeast Airlines has joined the City of Gary as a corporate citizen," says Gary, Ind., Mayor Scott L. King. "Southeast has a strong track record of quality service. They offer low fares and convenient and reliable service to frequently visited and warm weather destinations. We consider this air service a great opportunity for Northwest Indiana and Chicagoland residents."

Founded in 1992, Southeast Airlines, Inc., is headquartered in Largo, Fla. During the past 10 years, the airlines has transported millions of passengers to destinations including St. Petersburg/Clearwater, Sanford/Orlando, Fla., Newburgh, N.Y., Newark, N.J., Allentown, Pa., Las Vegas, Fort Lauderdale, and Columbus, Ohio.

"The Gary/Chicago International Airport is a perfect fit for Southeast by providing easy access, limited congestion, and valuable savings to passengers in terms of free parking, as well as lower operating costs that can be passed on to our passengers," says Tom Kolfenbach, Southeast Airlines president. "Many of our passengers have been loyal customers who fly with us several times each year due to our great fares and the convenience of the user-friendly regional airports we serve."

Southeast Airlines has a fleet of MD-80 and DC-9 aircraft manufactured by McDonnell Douglas.

St. Petersburg/Clearwater

St. Petersburg/Clearwater, or "Florida's Beach", is close to everything, yet miles away. It is a beautiful peninsula located on the West Coast of the state and bordered by the Gulf of Mexico to the west and by Tampa Bay to the east. "Florida's Beach" has 35 miles of white-sand beaches on 20 barrier islands. It is only 30 minutes to Busch Gardens in Tampa and 90 minutes to Walt Disney World Resort, Sea World, and Universal Studios Escape in Orlando. Cruise ships depart from nearby Port of Tampa and soon will depart from "Florida's Beach".

"We have as much to offer a Florida vacationer as Orlando, Miami and West Palm Beach do," says Nancy Foster, director of the tour and travel department, St. Petersburg/Clearwater Convention and Visitor's Bureau. "We have warm winters, beautiful Gulf sunsets, unique cultural heritage, enormous sporting and recreational activities from water to golf, fresh seafood, and great shopping. We're everything a vacationer could want - all in one place!"

* $69 seats are limited and may not be available on each flight. Flights are Public Charters (PC-03-201); charter operator/air carrier is Southeast Airlines. See operator-participant contract for details. Price doesn't include up to $10.00 passenger facility charges, 9-11 Security Fees of $2.50, and a $3.00 federal excise tax per segment. A segment consists of one takeoff and one landing. Fares are non-refundable but may be exchanged for a $25.00 fee. Fares/schedules subject to change; no other discounts apply.