Aviation Division Expansion

Dart Group PLC
23 October 2002


For Immediate Release                                            23 October 2002


                                   DART GROUP PLC

                             AVIATION DIVISION EXPANSION


Dart Group PLC, the aviation services and distribution group, announces today
that it will be expanding its Aviation Division's successful passenger
operations to offer low cost passenger services from Leeds Bradford
International Airport to European business and leisure destinations.

The Group has named the  new low cost service 'Jet 2' which will be operated by
its wholly-owned subsidiary, Channel Express (Air Services), alongside its
established contract passenger and cargo operations.    This business will
enable the Group to leverage its existing skill base and, in future, will also
maximise the utilisation of its Boeing 737-300 'Quick Change' aircraft, which
fly passenger services by day and cargo by night.  The Group's management has
been enhanced with further specialist passenger expertise.   The Jet 2 service
is seen as a natural extension of the Aviation Division's passenger operations,
utilising both aircraft from the existing fleet and further Boeing 737-300
aircraft that will be acquired to support the expansion.

In the year to 31 March 2003, start up costs in the order of £2m will be
incurred.    In the first full year of operation, Jet 2 is forecast to be
earnings neutral and become earnings enhancing thereafter.  As an existing
operating airline, the Group's Aviation Division already has the majority of the
fixed cost structure to support this expansion which, therefore, should be
viewed as incremental to the existing core operations.

Commenting, Philip Meeson, Chairman and Chief Executive, said 'We are delighted
to be working with Leeds Bradford International Airport which has a catchment
area of 9.5 million people who are not adequately served by low cost carriers.
It is my belief that JET 2 will be a significant contributor in the growth of
the Group's profits in the years to come'.


Enquiries:     Philip Meeson, Chairman and Chief Executive
               Tel:   [phone]        Mobile:  [phone]

               Mike Forder, Group Finance Director
               Tel:  [phone]         Mobile:  [phone]


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