US regional carrier Mesa Airlines Prepares an agreement with United Airlines after being dropped by American Airlines, reports indicate.
On December 17, 2022, media reported that American is ending the contract with Mesa due to its financial problems and operational issues.
“As a result, we have concerns about Mesa’s ability to be a reliable partner for American going forward. American and Mesa agree the best way to address these concerns is to wind down our agreement,” Derek Kerr, American’s Chief Financial Officer, said in an internal memo according to CNBC.
American is going to reduce Mesa’s flights starting March 2023 and completely stop them in April, the memo reportedly indicates.
Arizona-based Mesa is one of six airlines that operate under American Eagle brand, constituting the regional branch of American Airlines.
Later the same day Reuters reported receiving a memo which contained Mesa Air Group Chief Executive Jonathan Ornstein saying that the carrier is finalizing an agreement to transfer Mesa’s fleet of Bombardier CRJ900s from American Eagle to United Express.
A regional branch of United Airlines, United Express unites six regional carriers in an equivalent manner to American Eagle.
Mesa already flies 80 Embraer E175 aircraft as a part of United Express. Mesa’s 64 CRJ900s will be added to that fleet.
According to Reuters, American Airlines said the flights operated by Mesa will be backfilled by other airlines.