According to recent announcements made by Mesa Air Group, they have contracted to fly 30 CRJ-200's for Delta and 30 additional CRJ-200/700's for United.
Mesa Air Group, Delta Air Lines Announce Strategic Partnership
Mesa Air Group, Inc. Announces Agreement With United Airlines to Expand
The press release for Delta specifically says 30 CRJ-200's.
The press release for United specifically says 30 CRJ-200's, up to 15 of which may be converted to CRJ-700's.
Everybody seemed to be under the impression, after the Delta deal, that these aircraft were coming from the US Airways Express service. Mesa currently operates 23 CRJ-200s and 36 ERJ-145s, according to other posts on US Aviation.com. This was supported by an ATW article which speculated on where Mesa would "get the other 7 aircraft".
However, with this United announcement today, perhaps Mesa has a strategy other than reducing its aircraft operating for US Airways.
Anyone know what the strategy is?
Clearly there are a few options...
Remove 23 CRJ-200s from US Airways, send to Delta. Order 15 CRJ-700's for United... Find 22 used (or new) CRJ-200's for the balance.
Keep US Airways intact and order new/used CRJ-200/700s for new contracts.
Dissolve US Airways relationship, and come to an agreement with UAL and/or DAL to substitute some ERJ-145's.
Anybody have any insight into this? What kind of aircraft orders does Mesa have on the books?
I think this is a very interesting development in the regional carriers "musical chairs" situation sparked by UAL and US Airways' BK's.
Mesa Air Group, Delta Air Lines Announce Strategic Partnership
Mesa Air Group, Inc. Announces Agreement With United Airlines to Expand
The press release for Delta specifically says 30 CRJ-200's.
The new Delta Connection agreement provides for Freedom Airlines to operate up to 30 CRJ200 aircraft on routes throughout Delta's network for a period of 12 years, with the first aircraft planned to enter Delta Connection service as early as October 2005.
The press release for United specifically says 30 CRJ-200's, up to 15 of which may be converted to CRJ-700's.
Mesa Air Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: MESA - News) announced today that it has reached an agreement with United Airlines, Inc. to operate an additional thirty (30) 50-seat regional jets. These additional thirty (30) aircraft are expected to go into service within twelve (12) months and will bring the total United Express fleet for Mesa to 70 aircraft: 45 CRJ-200, 15 CRJ-700 and 10 Dash 8. Mesa also has the right to convert up to 15 CRJ-200 to CRJ-700 aircraft through April 2010.
Everybody seemed to be under the impression, after the Delta deal, that these aircraft were coming from the US Airways Express service. Mesa currently operates 23 CRJ-200s and 36 ERJ-145s, according to other posts on US Aviation.com. This was supported by an ATW article which speculated on where Mesa would "get the other 7 aircraft".
However, with this United announcement today, perhaps Mesa has a strategy other than reducing its aircraft operating for US Airways.
Anyone know what the strategy is?
Clearly there are a few options...
Remove 23 CRJ-200s from US Airways, send to Delta. Order 15 CRJ-700's for United... Find 22 used (or new) CRJ-200's for the balance.
Keep US Airways intact and order new/used CRJ-200/700s for new contracts.
Dissolve US Airways relationship, and come to an agreement with UAL and/or DAL to substitute some ERJ-145's.
Anybody have any insight into this? What kind of aircraft orders does Mesa have on the books?
I think this is a very interesting development in the regional carriers "musical chairs" situation sparked by UAL and US Airways' BK's.