American Airlines Helps Transport Renowned King Tut Exhibit to the Dallas Museum of Art

FORT WORTH, Texas, Sept 18, 2008 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- AMR | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating -- Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs, the exhibition that drew nearly 4 million visitors during its four-city U.S. tour in 2005-2007, returns to the United States this fall. And as the official airline of the exhibition, American Airlines helped make possible the safe transport of the ancient artifacts.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080918/LATH526)

Following the success of the record-breaking first U.S. tour, the exhibition recently arrived from its former London engagement to open in Dallas on Oct. 3 at the Dallas Museum of Art, where it will run through May 17, 2009.

The American Airlines Cargo Division (AA Cargo) played a key role in bringing these remarkable artifacts to the United States, where they will be seen by thousands of visitors. AA Cargo was entrusted with shipping more than 130 priceless artifacts -- some weighing as much as 1,750 pounds -- to Dallas as part of the U.S. encore tour that includes two yet-to-be-named cities.

"AA Cargo is honored to have been part of such a monumental assignment," said David Brooks, President of the American Airlines Cargo Division. "The opportunity to transport this priceless exhibition with enormous historical significance was certainly an exciting challenge for the professionals of AA Cargo. The move required precise handling and attention to detail, and we are proud to have handled it flawlessly."

"We selected AA Cargo specifically because of the sensitivity of this shipment," said Mark Lach, Senior Vice President of Arts and Exhibitions International, one of the companies organizing the exhibition. "Knowing the level of expertise and attention to detail involved, we were comfortable that AA Cargo was the right choice. They did a remarkable job, and we couldn't be more pleased with the partnership and the extreme care with which these rare objects were handled."

The exhibition provides a landmark opportunity for the Dallas-Fort Worth community to experience the richness of ancient Egyptian art and culture. Some 8 million people attended one of the prior King Tut exhibitions that set attendance records in the United States from 1976 to 1979, but just a few of the more than 130 artifacts in the current show were seen as part of that tour.

Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs provides insights into the life of the boy king and other royals of Egypt's 18th Dynasty (1555-1305 B.C.). One of the last kings of his dynasty, Tutankhamun died under mysterious circumstances at the age of 18 or 19. Visitors will see extraordinary relics from his tomb and other ancient Egyptian sites. Fifty of the young ruler's burial objects will be on display, including his royal diadem -- the gold crown, discovered with his mummified body, which he likely wore as king -- and one of the gold-and-precious-stone-inlaid canopic coffinettes that contained his mummified internal organs.

The exhibition is organized by National Geographic, Arts and Exhibitions International and AEG Exhibitions, with cooperation from the Egyptian Supreme Council of Antiquities. Northern Trust is the presenting sponsor of the encore tour, and the Dallas engagement is presented in partnership with the Dallas Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Proceeds from the exhibition are being used to help preserve Egypt's treasures, including the construction of a new museum in Cairo where the antiquities will be housed.

For more information, visit AA.com or http://www.DallasMuseumofArt.org/TUT.

About American Airlines Cargo

American Airlines Cargo(SM), a division of American Airlines, Inc., provides over 100 million pounds of weekly cargo lift capacity to major cities in the United States, Europe, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, Latin America and Asia. American, American Eagle and the AmericanConnection regional airlines serve more than 250 cities in over 40 countries with more than 4,000 daily flights. The combined network fleet numbers more than 1,000 aircraft. American provides one of the largest cargo networks in the world, with cargo terminals and interline connections available across the globe.

About American Airlines

American Airlines is the world's largest airline. American, American Eagle and the AmericanConnection(R) airlines serve over 250 cities in 40 countries with more than 4,000 daily flights. The combined network fleet numbers more than 1,000 aircraft. American's award-winning Web site, AA.com, provides users with easy access to check and book fares, plus personalized news, information and travel offers. American Airlines is a founding member of the oneworld(R) Alliance, which brings together some of the best and biggest names in the airline business, enabling them to offer their customers more services and benefits than any airline can provide on its own. Together, its members serve nearly 700 destinations in over 140 countries and territories. American Airlines, Inc. and American Eagle Airlines, Inc. are subsidiaries of AMR Corporation. AmericanAirlines, American Eagle, the AmericanConnection(R) airlines, AA.com, We know why you fly and AAdvantage are registered trademarks of American Airlines, Inc. (NYSE: AMR)

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