Pinnacle Rebranding Ground Services, Expanding Scope

MEMPHIS, Tenn., June 9, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Pinnacle Airlines Corp. (NASDAQ: PNCL) is rebranding its Ground Operations Services group as PinnPro Professional Ground Services and expanding its scope of services.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110112/CL29411LOGO )

Already a strong revenue stream and recognized as a leader in the airport services ground handling industry, PinnPro provides a wide array of services to 16 different U.S. airlines, including the world's largest carriers, and Pinnacle Airlines Corp.'s three operating subsidiaries: Pinnacle Airlines, Inc., Mesaba Airlines and Colgan Air, Inc., among others.

"It's a new business, but not a start-up," said Russ Elander, Senior Vice President at Pinnacle. "Our focus on safety, customer service and on-time performance has helped us grow this business from basic baggage handling and ramp services to a versatile, experienced group with a proven track record. Our goal is not to be the largest, but to provide tailor-made, professional ground services for charter handling, aircraft cleaning, customer handling and check in, ramp services, facility cleaning, skycap and wheelchair services."

"We also have the capability to provide training in ground security coordination, complaint resolution and disposition, and a variety of other functional, aviation-related areas," said Elander. "Our management team has extensive airline industry experience, so we know exactly what is needed.  We demand a high level of service from ourselves and plan to provide that to customers in a very competitive environment."

"This is clearly an area that Pinnacle has demonstrated expertise and success, and it makes sense to expand and grow this part of the business as they have done with their flying," said Bob McAdoo, Director and Senior Research Analyst at Avondale Partners.

Based at Pinnacle Airlines Corp.'s headquarters in Memphis, Tenn., the PinnPro division presently has 1,200 employees operating in 38 locations throughout the U.S.  For more information, visit www.pinn-pro.com.

About Pinnacle Airlines Corp.

Pinnacle Airlines Corp. (NASDAQ: PNCL), a $1 billion airline holding company with 7,800 employees, is the parent company of Pinnacle Airlines, Inc., Mesaba Aviation, Inc. and Colgan Air, Inc.  Flying as Delta Connection, United Express and US Airways Express, Pinnacle Airlines Corp. operating subsidiaries operate 202 regional jets and 88 turboprops on more than 1,650 daily flights to 196 cities and towns in the United States, Canada, Mexico and Belize.  Corporate offices are located in Memphis, Tenn., and hub operations are located at 11 major U.S. airports. Visit www.pncl.com for more information.

Media Contact:  Joe Williams (901-346-6162 / [email protected])

SOURCE Pinnacle Airlines Corp.