Contact Information: For more media information, contact: Lisa Hendrickson 516-767-8390 Email Contact
ExcelAire Welcomes Home Its Pilots Jan Paladino and Joe Lepore After 71-Day Detainment in Brazil
| Source: ExcelAire
RONKONKOMA, NY -- (MARKET WIRE) -- December 9, 2006 --The ExcelAire family welcomes home its pilots,
Joseph Lepore and Jan Paladino, at their arrival by private jet at Long
Island-MacArthur airport today. The pilots were detained in Brazil
following the September 29, 2006 mid-air collision between a Gol Airlines
Boeing 737 and an Embraer Legacy 600 jet.
"We are thrilled to have Joe and Jan back home after a long and difficult
detainment in Brazil, and this homecoming is a very special day for all of
us at ExcelAire," said Bob Sherry, ExcelAire's President and CEO. "We have
been working tirelessly since the accident to bring them home, and are glad
that Joe and Jan can be home with their families for the holidays, where
they belong."
"We would like to thank all those people here in the U.S., Brazil and
around the world that have helped so much and provided so much support to
Joe and Jan during this trying time," said Mr. Sherry. "We'd also like to
thank the aviation industry associations, politicians and labor unions that
have been so dedicated to this cause, and to advocating for the fair
treatment of the accident investigations in Brazil."
He added, "We continue to extend our sympathies and prayers to the families
and friends that lost loved ones in this tragic accident."
About ExcelAire
ExcelAire (www.excelaire.com) is one of the leading private jet charter
firms in the nation, specializing in worldwide private jet charters,
aircraft management, maintenance and sales. With its roots in aircraft
maintenance, ExcelAire's operating philosophy puts safety first, with the
industry's highest standards in maintenance, pilot experience and recurrent
training for its entire staff. The company maintains office and hangar
space at the Long Island MacArthur Airport (ISP) and Republic Airport in
Farmingdale, New York.