ExcelAire Issues Statement That Brazilian Federal Police Officials Unfairly Accused Two ExcelAire Pilots of Criminal Conduct

RONKONKOMA, NY -- (MARKET WIRE) -- December 9, 2006 --After 71 days of detainment in Brazil, ExcelAire pilots, Joe Lepore and Jan Paladino, appeared before the Brazilian Federal Police in Sao Paulo on Friday to provide witness statements in connection with the September 29, 2006 air accident. Even before the start of the planned interrogation on Friday, federal police officials advised them that they were accusing them of unspecified criminal conduct.

"The decision to accuse Joe and Jan of criminal wrongdoing is irresponsible in the face of overwhelming evidence that exonerates them," said Robert Torricella, a Miami-based lawyer for ExcelAire and the pilots. "The Brazilian Federal Police is telling the world that pilots who fly in Brazil can be accused of crimes for doing nothing more than complying with applicable aviation regulations and following air traffic control directives. This is an alarming precedent for the international aviation community."

"We had hoped that the police investigation would be conducted with integrity and transparency, and that they would have listened to the pilots' testimony before making baseless accusations," said Jose Carlos Dias, Brazilian counsel for the pilots. "We are disappointed that the police investigator could not rise above the politics of the matter and let the facts determine its actions."

The insistence of the police officials to criminalize this accident investigation runs counter to the safety of the international flying public, and has been the target of worldwide criticism. The ongoing criminal inquiry impedes the professional accident investigation and its goal of uncovering and correcting the problems that led to this tragic accident to avoid the needless loss of life in the future.

Contact Information: For more media information, contact: Lisa Hendrickson 516-767-8390 Email Contact