DayJet to Launch World’s First “Per-Seat, On-Demand” Jet Service in Florida

TALLAHASSEE - April 24, 2006 - Governor Jeb Bush today announced DayJet™ Corporation has chosen Florida as the “launch state” for its innovative “Per-Seat, On-Demand” jet service. In its initial phase, business travelers in Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee will be among the nation’s first to have access to “Per-Seat, On-Demand” business jet service when the company jets take flight later this year. The company will begin service in Florida with an intra-state, point-to-point, on-demand network, connecting communities that have little or no scheduled air service. Joining Governor Bush for today’s announcement were DayJet President and CEO Ed Iacobucci, Eclipse President and CEO Vern Raburn and state and local leaders.

"As Florida continues to emerge as a state of innovation, we’re thrilled to welcome DayJet to Florida. I applaud the company on their innovative business plan and the use of very light jet aircraft and a sophisticated real-time logistics system," said Governor Bush. "DayJet is a good example of cutting-edge, technology-based company that Florida is committed to fostering. The strength of Florida’s aviation and aerospace sector, including the availability of a highly skilled workforce, played a large role in recruiting DayJet’s fleet, training and world headquarters operation. I congratulate and thank all those involved in securing this project for Florida."

DayJet Corporation is the pioneer of “Per-Seat, On-Demand” business jet service tailored to the passenger’s individual schedule and priced at a modest premium to full-fare coach airfares. Combined with the speed and efficiency of the Eclipse 500 Very Light Jet (VLJ), DayJet is focused on the advancement of corporate productivity and regional economic development.

“Thousands of regional airports sit underutilized across the nation, while each day, millions of regional business travelers struggle to get from point A to point B efficiently,” said DayJet President and CEO Ed Iacobucci. “Just as Tivo allows television viewers to watch what they want, when they want, our ‘Per-Seat, On-Demand’ service will give business travelers greater freedom to travel when and where they want. As a Florida-based business, DayJet is proud to initiate the first ‘Per-Seat, On-Demand’ jet service in the State of Florida and the greater Southeast, where the current state of regional transportation encumbers business professionals’ productivity and quality-of-life and inhibits the region from realizing its full economic potential.”

DayJet plans call for a region-by region service rollout. Within a given region, the company will offer “Per-Seat, On-Demand” service between specific airports, called DayPorts,™ which are capable of supporting its operations. “Per-Seat” means passengers only pay for the seat(s) reserved, not the whole aircraft. “On-Demand” means passengers can fly at their convenience. Unlike traditional commercial airline companies, DayJet will not publish schedules, nor operate on a schedule other than the customer’s.

DayJet will launch service in the State of Florida by year’s end, providing business travelers with an efficient and convenient intra-state air transportation network that will quickly connect South, Central, West, North and Panhandle Florida communities. Within 12 months of launch, the company expects to offer service between 20 DayPorts in four states.

“The launch of DayJet’s services in Florida is proof positive of the continued strength of our state’s economy and success of the statewide economic development initiative,” said Enterprise Florida, Inc. President and CEO John Adams. “Florida’s competitive business climate attracts innovative, high-wage industries, while our state’s business resources and investment help them thrive and grow.”

DayJet today also outlined plans to make Tallahassee home to a VLJ Center of Excellence, the world’s first education center dedicated to training students on a multitude of very light jet service operations. DayJet further announced that its permanent headquarters will reside in Boca Raton, Florida.

A central focus of the DayJet’s planned VLJ Center of Excellence will be the development of a flight training program and curriculum in cooperation with leading aeronautical universities to prepare students and junior pilots for a career flying new-generation very light jets for on-demand service providers. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2007 and, when online in 2008, will be capable of training 2,000 pilots, maintenance and customer service professionals a year.

Governor Bush has made diversifying Florida’s economy a top priority for his second term in office, placing particular emphasis on fostering the development of emerging technologies. The Bush/Jennings administration recommended an investment of $630 million to further diversify and strengthen Florida’s economy. The proposal includes $200 million for a world class scholars program and a Centers of Excellence program to build and enhance our innovation infrastructure, $75 million in tax credits for the new Florida Capital Formation Program, $50 million to expand Florida’s Quick Action Closing Fund, $55 million to secure Florida’s position as a leader in the Space and Aeronautics industry, and $250 million to create the Innovation Incentive Fund to bring large scale research projects, private sector business or prestigious institutions to Florida.

Contact:

RUSSELL SCHWEISS
(850) 488-5394

Original Release