In another blow to a dismal air-travel industry, ExpressJet Airlines will cease flying Sept. 2.

The airline ended its agreement with Delta Air Lines and will cease all ExpressJet Delta Connection operations as of Sept. 1, and several days later said it would cease its own branded flights the following day.

"If we had any other choice, we would not take this difficult action," said Jim Ream, president and chief executive officer. "However, rising fuel prices have made the operation impossible to sustain."

ExpressJet Airlines will continue flying a fleet of 205 aircraft as Continental Express to more than 150 destinations, as well as continuing to serve charter customers with a fleet of 30 aircraft through ExpressJet Corporate Aviation.

ExpressJet has seven daily nonstop flights from Tucson to Austin and San Antonio, Texas; Kansas City, Mo.; Omaha, Neb.; Ontario and Sacramento, Calif., and Reno, Nev. It plans to end the flights to Austin, Omaha and Reno as of Aug. 23.

The airline operates two flights daily to Houston Bush International as Continental Express and that will be the only remnant of ExpressJet at Tucson International Airport come Sept. 3.

"On behalf of everyone at ExpressJet Airlines, I would like to express our gratitude to the communities that provided such a warm welcome and were always supportive of our branded service," Ream said.

Tickets on ExpressJet for travel prior to Sept. 2 will not be affected. In fact, ExpressJet will continue selling tickets for any customers desiring travel prior to its shutdown.

Contact reporter Joe Pangburn at jpangburn@azbiz.com or (520) 295-4259.