This article from NYTimes.com has been sent to you by psa188@xxxxxxxxx /-------------------- advertisement -----------------------\ Fox Searchlight Pictures is proud to present BROKEN LIZARD'S CLUB DREAD now playing in theaters everywhere. No crucifixions, no need to read subtitles, no need to avert your eyes. Just have a drink, mellow out and laugh for two hours with the creators of Super Troopers in CLUB DREAD. Watch the trailer and join the blogging fun on the official website at: http://ads.nyt.com/fi.ad/mo-2004fox02/clubdread2/?_RM_REDIR_=http://www.clubdread.com \----------------------------------------------------------/ Memo Pad: Three Airlines Join United Express Unit March 9, 2004 JOE SHARKEY Three Airlines Join United Express Unit United Airlines said yesterday that three small regional carriers - Chautauqua Airlines, Republic Airlines and Shuttle America - have joined its United Express unit. The announcement was seen as further evidence that regional carriers are evolving sharply away from being independent airlines and toward mostly providing capacity under contract to larger airlines. Doug Hacker, United's executive vice president for strategy, said that the agreements would enhance United Express's ability to provide competitive low-fare service to smaller markets with connections from hubs like Washington Dulles and Chicago O'Hare. In recent years, small regional carriers have increasingly felt pressure to shift operations toward becoming what Michael Boyd, the airline consultant, calls "small-jet providers" for bigger airlines eager to fill gaps on routes and compete more intensely with national low-cost carriers. Mr. Boyd said yesterday that United's agreement with the three carriers was also a move to replace capacity that would be lost if Atlantic Coast Airlines - which is chafing under financial terms it dislikes as part of United's bankruptcy proceedings - succeeds in withdrawing from a partnership in which it provides regional service for United Express. "Losing Atlantic Coast would mean they'll lose about 85 airplanes; they've got to fill those in somewhere," Mr. Boyd said of United, which also has contracts with regional carriers Mesa Air, SkyWest and Air Wisconsin. Atlantic Coast, which also provides small-jet service for Delta Connection, has said that it expects that its longstanding relationship with United will end this year. Atlantic Coast has said it intends later this year to become a low-fare airline called Independence Air, offering 350 daily flights from Dulles. Domestic Hotel Demand May Increase After three years of contraction, demand for domestic hotel rooms will increase 4.5 percent this year, PricewaterhouseCoopers said. The strongest performance is being seen at the top of the scale. According to the PricewaterhouseCoopers forecast, so-called upper-upscale luxury hotels will see a 3.9 percent growth in occupancy and a 1.9 percent growth in average room rates, while upscale hotels will see a 4.5 percent occupancy rise and a 6.7 percent rise in room rates. JOE SHARKEY http://www.nytimes.com/2004/03/09/business/09memo.html?ex=1079840458&ei=1&en=b74fe38e5e59926a --------------------------------- Get Home Delivery of The New York Times Newspaper. Imagine reading The New York Times any time & anywhere you like! Leisurely catch up on events & expand your horizons. Enjoy now for 50% off Home Delivery! Click here: http://homedelivery.nytimes.com/HDS/SubscriptionT1.do?mode=SubscriptionT1&ExternalMediaCode=W24AF HOW TO ADVERTISE --------------------------------- For information on advertising in e-mail newsletters or other creative advertising opportunities with The New York Times on the Web, please contact onlinesales@xxxxxxxxxxx or visit our online media kit at http://www.nytimes.com/adinfo For general information about NYTimes.com, write to help@xxxxxxxxxxxx Copyright 2004 The New York Times Company