February 4, 2006: Low-cost carrier SkyValue has added another non-stop flight from Gary Chicago International airport to Mesa Williams Gateway Airport, increasing the airline's total number of services on the route to three every week. With the addition of the new services, the carrier flies to Mesa on every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

"The popularity of the Mesa region, the ease and convenience of facilities of both Gary Chicago Airport and Mesa Williams Airport coupled with demand for increased frequency is the basis for our decision," the carrier's chief executive officer Darrell Richardson said in a statement here today.

The addition of the new service is prompted by the encouraging response the carrier got for its existing services on the route, and due to the increase in traffic between the two destinations.

"Additionally we believe a mid-week flight and added frequency will also attract business travellers between Chicago and Mesa-Phoenix area. Two days on business, some golfing or enjoying the great city delights of Chicago, and you are back in your office, sounds like a winning ticket," he added.

The airline expects Chicago-Mesa flights to pave way for its planned Mesa to Los Angeles service.

SkyValue flights are operated by XtraAirways of Elko Nevada utilising 737-800 aircraft. At present, the company provides non-stop service between Gary Chicago International Airport and Mesa/Phoenix, Las Vegas, Orlando and St. Petersburg/Tampa Bay.

On December 15, 2006, the carrier launched low-cost service from Gary Chicago International Airport to 'Fun and Sun' destinations, with fares starting at $79 on all routes.

Plans for a route to Los Angeles are still in the pipeline and details for these are being evaluated.

"We're still negotiating with a couple of airports in the Los Angeles area, and it's our hope to be able to offer a one-stop service from Chicago to Mesa to Los Angeles and a shuttle service from Mesa three times a week," Richardson said.

The airline had commenced 11 services to various destinations including three to Orlando, and two each to Fort Lauderdale, St. Petersburg, Phoenix and Las Vegas in December last year. SkyValue had begun servicing the route using 737-800 aircrafts, with introductory fares starting at $79.

These were launched on an experimental basis, with the services only operational till April 2007. However, if successful, the carrier intends to extend the services for the rest of the year.

SkyValue is an US-based low-cost carrier, which is headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. It operates with its hub at Gary Chicago International Airport and flies mainly to destinations in Arizona, Florida, Indiana and Nevada. It operates as a scheduled charter by wet leasing aircraft from Xtra Airways.