Phoenix-based Mesa Airlines has reached an agreement with United Airlines to add 15 Embraer 175 aircraft to Mesa’s United Express fleet. Mesa currently operates 30 Embraer aircraft for United Airlines. In addition to the E175s, Mesa operates 20 Bombardier CRJ700 aircraft under the United Express brand.
Mesa Air Group chairman and CEO Jonathan Ornstein said, “Mesa has proven itself as a quality operator of this aircraft type in terms of customer satisfaction and is competitive in terms of cost efficiency. The combination of these two attributes has made Mesa the fastest growing airline in the world over the last three years and will continue to fuel our growth into the future.”
Mesa EVP and COO Paul Foley said the addition of new aircraft “greatly enhances advancement opportunities for our people, our pilots and other operational employees in particular. The addition of these aircraft will create a minimum of 75 new captain upgrade positions that significantly increase pay, 150 newly hired first officers, 150 new flight attendant positions and over 100 additional mechanics, supervisors, dispatchers, planning and support staff.”
The E175’s 76-seat dual-class configuration features 12 first-class, 16 premium economy and 48 coach seats. The aircraft has inflight Wi-Fi connectivity, leather seating and electric outlets in first class.
ATW – Air Transport World