Northwest Airlink feeder Express Airlines I has signed a ten-year, $40 million pact with Honeywell covering component maintenance for its ordered fleet of 50-seat Bombardier CRJs.

Under the terms of the agreement, Honeywell will provide all maintenance, including parts, labor and administration, on auxiliary power units, environmental control systems, main engine starter systems and enhanced ground proximity warning systems.

Memphis-based Express I recently took delivery of the first of 54 CRJs that parent Northwest Airlines ordered for its regional subsidiaries in 1998. Express I will operate at least 42 of the jets; the remainder could fly with Mesaba Airlines or Express I.

Northwest recently added a fourth "bank" of flights from Memphis-part of its plan to build the airport as a viable competitor to Delta Air Lines' Atlanta Hartsfield hub. To support this growth, Express I has added flights, and further expansion is planned as the RJs join the Saab 340s in its fleet.

By Paul Richfield