ExpressJet Holdings Inc. (XJT) apologized for a delay that left
passengers stuck on a Minnesota tarmac for hours last weekend and
said it would report the results of its review to the U.S.
Department of Transportation.
"We apologize to the customers for the extended delay of Flight
2816, which did not meet Continental's service standards," said a
statement from ExpressJet.
On Tuesday, Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said he had
asked his department's general counsel to conduct a review of
whether Continental Airlines Inc. (CAL) or ExpressJet violated any
laws in connection with the delay.
The incident involved a Continental Express flight from Houston
to Minneapolis. It was diverted to nearby Rochester, where 47
passengers waited six hours before getting off as the airport
security staff had departed for the night.
The flight reawakened the debate over a long-mooted "passenger
bill of rights" in the U.S. The incident also marks a blow for
ExpressJet, which operates most of Continental's regional services
under a tougher contract after almost losing its franchise a year
ago.
ExpressJet's shares recently traded at $1.45, up 3.6%, while
Continental's rose 1.2% to $12.40.
-By Kathy Shwiff, Dow Jones Newswires; 212-416-2357;
Kathy.Shwiff@dowjones.com