SOUTH BURLINGTON, Vt., Nov. 9, 2015 /PRNewswire/ — CommutAir announced today that it has reached an agreement with United Airlines to significantly increase the number of airplanes flown under the United Express brand by adding Embraer E145 jet operations to the company’s existing fleet of Bombardier turbo-prop aircraft. The agreement is subject to government approval.
Also pursuant to this agreement, CommutAir will implement a “Career Path Program” (CPP) for participating pilots. The program offers pilots the option to transition from CommutAir to United after certain requirements are met, including various service, performance record and accumulated flight hours requirements.
Pursuant to the currently anticipated fleet plan, the first Embraer E145 aircraft is expected to enter service in April 2016, and the fleet size and routes flown will grow through the addition of 40 Embraer E145 aircraft. Employee recruiting and FAA processes are already underway.
“This is a wonderful and attractive opportunity for CommutAir” said John Sullivan, Chairman of CommutAir. “In conjunction with this exciting growth plan, we will be implementing a program that offers a clear career path option to participating pilots. I appreciate working with United in offering more opportunities for our pilots and all of our employees,” he added.
CommutAir’s adoption of the CPP will be a special feature of the United Express agreement.
-Will enable qualified pilot applicants to opt into the CPP at the time of joining CommutAir and then seamlessly move to United after the applicable requirements are met.
-CommutAir’s planned growth will provide opportunities for promotions to Captain at CommutAir.
CommutAir, operating as United Express, is the d/b/a of Champlain Enterprises Inc., an airline holding company founded in the 1980s. Today, CommutAir operates the world’s largest Q200/Q300 fleet with more than 650 weekly flights to 29 airports. CommutAir’s 500+ employees are well known in the industry for fostering a family culture and friendly work environment.
KUSI News
Mesa Airlines adds 15 E-175s to United Express contract
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
SkyWest to fly 18 additional E-Jets for United Express
SkyWest Inc. (SKYW) announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary SkyWest Airlines, Inc. has entered into an amendment to an existing Capacity Purchase Agreement with United Airlines, Inc. to operate an additional 18 new Embraer E175 dual-class regional jet aircraft.
The aircraft will be operated by SkyWest Airlines. The cabin will be a dual-class configuration of 76 seats and will be equipped with Wi-Fi. As per the deal, it is anticipated that delivery of the aircraft will begin in late 2016, with all 18 aircraft being delivered by mid-2017.
RTT News