NEW YORK (MarketWatch) -- Delta Air Lines said Thursday it would sell two of its regional subsidiaries for a combined $82.5 million to shed less profitable routes from its system. The Atlanta carrier said it would sell Memphis-based Mesaba to Pinnacle Airlines Corp. for $62 million and Compass Airlines to St. Louis-based Trans States Holdings for $20.5 million. Mesaba and Compass will continue to fly Delta customers with long-term, extendable agreements, ranging from seven to 12 years, depending on aircraft type.
SpinDoc Replies to the article:
Okay. Now we get down to brass tacks. Trans States acquired Compass Airlines from Delta and Compass operates 36 EMB-175 aircraft (currently for Delta), but will have the option to move some of their aircraft to their other regional partners. Would they dare move some of these aircraft to US Airways routes, and if so, would that give them any leverage in the future when they take delivery of 100 Mitsubishi MRJ aircraft with seating capacity of 50, 70, and 90 seats?
Just a thought because Trans States is a very small player with US Airways right now, but when Mesa is finally kicked out of US Airways Express, they are going to need someone else to fill the gap. Repugnant has hit critical mass, and with financing tapped out, they are not expected to grow very much in the next few years. Maybe Trans States will
play a larger role in US Airways Express in the not so near future.
SpinDoc Replies to the article:
Okay. Now we get down to brass tacks. Trans States acquired Compass Airlines from Delta and Compass operates 36 EMB-175 aircraft (currently for Delta), but will have the option to move some of their aircraft to their other regional partners. Would they dare move some of these aircraft to US Airways routes, and if so, would that give them any leverage in the future when they take delivery of 100 Mitsubishi MRJ aircraft with seating capacity of 50, 70, and 90 seats?
Just a thought because Trans States is a very small player with US Airways right now, but when Mesa is finally kicked out of US Airways Express, they are going to need someone else to fill the gap. Repugnant has hit critical mass, and with financing tapped out, they are not expected to grow very much in the next few years. Maybe Trans States will
play a larger role in US Airways Express in the not so near future.