Greg Bryan / Arizona Daily Star 2007

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Complaint against airline escalatesAirport marks high point: 'TUCSON' tower turns 50TIA to celebrate tower's 50thLocal, state bankruptcies are surgingIf pro-lender proposition fails, 100+ empty stores could dot Tucson areaProp 200 defeat would leave buildings empty across TucsonTucson can expect to see credit get even tighterMagnus had role in WaMu's fall$700B bailout plan meets skepticism among TucsonansTucson maker of gene-testing plates makes solid gains locally

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ExpressJet Airlines Inc. is ending its nationwide branded service, effectively cutting four remaining destinations from Tucson International Airport in September.

This latest move by the Houston-based regional air carrier marks a setback for Tucson and other mid-sized cities serviced by the low-cost airline, which has been grappling with skyrocketing fuel costs of late.

ExpressJet was widely seen as a boon for Tucson travelers. In fact, the airline singlehandedly increased destinations available from the Old Pueblo by almost 50 percent in 2007, and airport officials frequently touted the new service.

But earlier this year, signs began emerging that the airline was facing trouble. In March, ExpressJet stopped its El Paso service, and in May, it announced it was cutting flights between Tucson and Spokane, Wash.; Austin, Texas; Omaha, Neb.; and Reno, Nev.

The airline’s demise disappointed many local air travelers.

“It was perfect because they had so many nonstops,” said Pam Francis, 54, who travels between Tucson and Austin to visit her son. Stopping over in other cities with some other airlines, she said, “was a disaster.”

ExpressJet, on the other hand, was a $189 round-trip fare and “was just delightful all the way around.”

Earlier this month, ExpressJet said it would be cutting its Delta Connection service on Sept. 1, effectively ending non-stop service between Tucson to Los Angeles International Airport.

The new announcement means it will no longer fly to Kansas City; Ontario, Calif.; San Antonio and Sacramento, Calif. The airline will continue to operate Continental Airlines’s daily, non-stop service to Houston.

“It was nice to be able to fly direct to some smaller airports,” said Brad Richwine, who works for Raytheon Missile Systems and would fly to Sacramento for work. “I’m sad to see them go."

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