PHILADELPHIA, PA – USA3000 announced today that Steven E. Harfst has been named its first president and chief executive officer, effective Nov. 10, 2008. Mr. Harfst will replace Angus Kinnear who recently retired as USA3000’s chief operating officer.

Mr. Kinnear led the airline through its initial certification process and first commercial flight in December 2001. Under his leadership, the airline has grown to a fleet of eleven A320 aircraft serving cities in the Northeast and Midwest states to destination markets in Florida, the Caribbean, and Mexico.

“We are enormously excited to have Steve join our team as USA3000’s new president and CEO,” said John J. Mullen, chairman of USA3000’s board of directors and chairman of the Apple Leisure Group. “Steve’s wealth of industry experience, business acumen, and integrity are the perfect attributes for leading the company through its next stage of development. We are confident that Steve is the right person to lead the company for many years to come.”

“USA3000 has established itself as a leader in delivering outstanding customer service,” said Mr. Harfst. “It is an honor to join the leadership team at USA3000 and be given the opportunity to build on its success.”

Mr. Harfst was named chief operating officer of IndiGo, India’s newest and most ambitious start-up airline in 2006. Under his leadership, the new airline gained its operating certificate and has accepted the delivery of 22 brand-new A320 aircraft in its first 27 months of operations. IndiGo, known for its exceptional customer service and on-time performance, is India’s fastest-growing, most successful airline and is now the largest LCC in India in terms of passengers carried. Prior to joining IndiGo, Mr. Harfst was the chief operating officer at North American Airlines.

Mr. Harfst was raised in Lake Oswego, Oregon and earned his BA in Business Administration from the University of Washington, Seattle. He then served his country for 10 years as a Naval Aviator in the United States Navy.

WHAT TO TAKE AWAY FROM THIS ARTICLE:

Under his leadership, the airline has grown to a fleet of eleven A320 aircraft serving cities in the Northeast and Midwest states to destination markets in Florida, the Caribbean, and Mexico.
“It is an honor to join the leadership team at USA3000 and be given the opportunity to build on its success.
IndiGo, known for its exceptional customer service and on-time performance, is India’s fastest-growing, most successful airline and is now the largest LCC in India in terms of passengers carried.