Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport Sees 6% Passenger Growth in 2005

Chattanooga Outpaces national Average of 1.6% Growth

(January 27, 2006) - The Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport saw enplanements grow by 5.84% in 2005, ending the year with 258,745 total boardings. Deplanements for the year rose by 4.8%, reaching 251,624. Total passenger traffic through the Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport in 2005 exceeded the half-million mark, reaching 510,369. The Chattanooga Airport outpaced the national average for enplanement growth in 2005, which was 1.6%.

"Thanks to the strong support of our elected officials, civic and business leaders and the traveling community, our Airport gained new nonstop service to both Dallas and Houston in 2005, opening up competition on routes to the western United States and Latin America," said Mike Landguth, President and CEO of the Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport Authority. "In addition, several of our airlines implemented a new lower fare structure in our market, which has stimulated additional demand and contributed to our growth. We are seeing more and more passengers flying out of Chattanooga instead of enduring the hassle and inconvenience of driving long distances to use other airports."

The Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport Authority is served by American Eagle, Continental Express, Delta Connection Carriers, Northwest Airlink and US Airways Express with nonstop service to Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago, Cincinnati, Dallas, Houston, Memphis and Washington D.C. Visit www.chattairport.com for more details.