US regional carrier, Mesa Airlines, has finalized a new contract with American Airlines that will see it continue to fly CRJ900s on behalf of the powerhouse. The new agreement is a five-year agreement that replaces a previous one.
The new agreement with American Airlines
Before Thanksgiving, Phoenix-based Mesa Airlines finalized a new contract with American Airlines, replacing an old contract set to expire.
The new contract will see Mesa Airlines operating 40 CRJ900s for a five-year term from January 1st, 2021, through December 31st, 2025. The agreement replaces a previous contract for 30 CRJ900s set to expire in 2021 and another 17 set to expire in 2022.
Jonathan Ornstein, Chairman and CEO of Mesa Air Group, stated the following in a press release seen by Simple Flying:
“I want to express my appreciation to the American Eagle team leaders who worked with us on this new contract. This new contract will position Mesa for long term stability and improved performance on our American operation. This year has been difficult for our entire industry, but I’m thankful that despite the obstacles, American has chosen to continue its long-standing relationship with Mesa.”
American Eagle operations
American Airlines is known for its sprawling, 800+ aircraft fleet. However, none of its aircraft seat fewer than 100 passengers. This means the carrier has larger planes that might not be suited for some smaller cities. So, the carrier has agreements with other airlines to fly regionally under the American Eagle banner.
American Eagle operations are conducted entirely using regional aircraft. Carriers either fly CRJ700s, CRJ900s, ERJ140s, ERJ145s, or E175s. All of these aircraft have fewer than 80 seats. The smallest, the ERJ140, seats 44 passengers.
In the ongoing crisis, regional jets are starting to fly to new destinations that previously saw mainline service. Mesa Airlines continues to fly for American – primarily out of Phoenix and Dallas to feed into American's network. That feed is what enables American to fly plenty of other aircraft, not just around the United States, but even international operations.
More on Mesa Airlines
Mesa Airlines is a regional air carrier that flies to 101 cities in 39 states, Washington D.C., Canada, and Mexico on behalf of major US carriers. As of October 31st, 2020, the airline had a fleet of 146 aircraft.
Mesa Airlines operates passenger flights mostly under American Eagle and United Express (United's regional arm). It also has cargo operations that are done on behalf of DHL as DHL Express.
According to Mesa Airlines, it has a fleet of Embraer E175 aircraft, CRJ900 jets, and Boeing 737-400F jets, the last of which only flies cargo missions. The airline used to fly Dash 8 aircraft.
This new agreement will keep Mesa flying CRJ900s for American, which will not jet help keep Mesa flying but also keep some mainline operations viable in American's network.
Are you glad to see Mesa Airlines continue to fly for American Airlines? Let us know in the comments!