ExcelAire Welcomes Home Its Pilots Jan Paladino and Joe Lepore After 71-Day Detainment in Brazil


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.

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