Southwest Airlines to fly to San Juan, Puerto Rico (replacing AirTran)
Southwest Airlines (Dallas) and its wholly owned subsidiary AirTran Airways announced an extension of flight schedules for travel through November 1, 2013. In extending both carriers’ bookable inventory, Southwest introduces four new nonstop routes, including the first Southwest service from Des Moines to the West through Las Vegas, and the return of seasonal service in three markets. The carrier also announced new Southwest Airlines service between Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood and San Juan, a conversion from AirTran service in the market, beginning on September 29, 2013. Southwest Airlines begins its initial service in San Juan, Puerto Rico on April 14 with nonstop service between both Tampa Bay and Orlando. AirTran introduces additional seasonal flying to and from Florida.
Southwest’s new markets:
- Two daily nonstop flights between Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood and San Juan
- One daily nonstop flight between Nashville and Pittsburgh
- One daily nonstop flight between Atlanta and San Diego
- One daily nonstop flight between Des Moines and Las Vegas
- One daily nonstop flight between Jacksonville and Chicago
Southwest’s returning seasonal markets:
- One daily nonstop flight between Indianapolis and Orlando
- One daily nonstop flight between Jacksonville and Las Vegas
- One daily nonstop flight between Orlando and Minneapolis-Saint Paul
AirTran’s new markets:
- Seasonal service between Orlando and Houston (Hobby)
- Seasonal service between Orlando and New Orleans
- Seasonal service between Fort Myers and Columbus
- Seasonal service between Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood and Pittsburgh
Top Copyright Photo: Bruce Drum. Southwest Airlines Boeing 737-7H4 WL N944WN (msn 36659) with extra “Free Bags Fly Free” markings arrives on runway 9L at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport.
Southwest Airlines: 
AirTran Airways:
Bottom Copyright Photo: Tony Storck. The special AirTran schemes are not expected to survive the integration into Southwest. The pictured Boeing 737-7BD WL N354AT (msn 36725) in the special Georgia Aquarium ”Dolphin 1″ scheme is due to become N7724A with Southwest.
JetBlue names San Juan a “focus city”
JetBlue Airways (New York) has named its growing San Juan operation a “focus city”. During a ribbon-cutting ceremony held yesterday (June 28) in celebration of JetBlue Airways’ new home at Terminal A in San Juan’s Luis Munoz Marin International Airport (SJU), the airline’s President and CEO Dave Barger, together with Puerto Rico’s Governor Luis Fortuno, announced that San Juan has become the sixth focus city in JetBlue’s 71-city network.
San Juan joins Boston, Fort Lauderdale, Los Angeles, New York and Orlando as the sixth focus city in JetBlue’s network. The designation of San Juan as a focus city in JetBlue’s growing route network underscores the airline’s ever-increasing commitment to the Puerto Rican community and its expansion into the new Terminal A at Luis Munoz Marin International Airport, which will be able to accommodate further growth.
In Puerto Rico, JetBlue currently serves Aguadilla, Ponce and San Juan, with service to 13 nonstop destinations, nine within the continental US: Boston, Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood, Hartford/Springfield, Jacksonville, New York, Newark, Orlando, Tampa and West Palm Beach and; four within the Caribbean: Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, St. Maarten, St. Thomas, and St. Croix. The airline has announced it will begin the only direct nonstop to Washington Reagan National Airport, its 14th city out of San Juan, on August 23, 2012.
Copyright Photo: Bruce Drum.
JetBlue: 
American Airlines cancels 296 flights at DFW yesterday
American Airlines (Dallas/Fort Worth) cancelled 296 flights yesterday due to the hail damaged aircraft at its Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) hub. American and American Eagle have cancelled already around 1900 flights since the hail storm hit the airport.
Read the full report from Bloomberg Businessweek: CLICK HERE
Copyright Photo: Bruce Drum.
American Slide Show: CLICK HERE
US Airways launches flights to 14 new destinations from Washington, D.C.’s Reagan National Airport
US Airways (Phoenix) yesterday (March 25) began new service to 11 communities and improved service to three from Washington, D.C’s Reagan National Airport. The airline launched nonstop flights to Birmingham, Ala.; Fayetteville, N.C.; Islip, N.Y.; Little Rock, Ark.; Jacksonville, N.C.; Pensacola, Fla.; Tallahassee, Fla. and Ft. Walton Beach, Fla. US Airways will be the sole carrier to provide service to customers in these communities to Washington’s downtown airport.
New service also began to Memphis, Tenn.; Omaha, Neb. and Ottawa, Ontario. These communities are currently served by other carriers at Reagan National. In addition to the 11 new communities the airline did not previously serve, it has also added improved service on existing routes between Reagan National and Savannah, Ga.; Bangor, Maine and Hartford, Conn.
On March 21, the airline also announced that it would begin service to six additional communities from the District’s downtown airport. Once these flights commence in June and July, the airline will have a total of 22 new routes served from Reagan National. The new flights are a part of US Airways’ plan to focus on its core service areas of Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, Phoenix and Charlotte, N.C.
Beginning July 11, 99 percent of the airline’s available seat miles (ASMs) will operate to or from its core service areas and US Airways Shuttle that operates hourly between Washington, Boston and New York’s LaGuardia Airport.
Copyright Photo: Bruce Drum.
US Airways Express-Republic Slide Show: CLICK HERE
Frontier Airlines adds new flights from Milwaukee
Frontier Airlines (2nd) Airbus A319-111 N919FR (msn 1980) FLL (Bruce Drum), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Frontier Airlines (2nd) (subsidiary of Republic Airways Holdings, Inc.) (Denver) announced it will launch new seasonal nonstop service between Milwaukee’s General Mitchell International Airport (MKE) and Seattle/Tacoma (SEA) and will increase service to Phoenix (PHX) this winter. The MKE-SEA flight will be operated by Republic Airlines (2nd) Embraer ERJ 190s.
Twice-weekly nonstop service to SEA will be provided for the peak holiday travel season December 16, 2010, through January 4, 2011. A second daily nonstop service to Phoenix will be provided February 14 through April 17, 2011.
Frontier also announced that it would be increasing its nonstop service between Indianapolis International Airport (IND) and Cancún, Mexico (CUN) to twice-weekly flights with a new Sunday flight from Feb. 13 through April 17, 2011. Frontier offers nonstop service between Indianapolis and Cancún on Saturdays from November 6, 2010 to May 1, 2011.
Both the MKE-PHX and IND-CUN flights will be operated with Airbus A319s.
Copyright Photo: Bruce Drum. Please click on photo for more details.
Aerolineas Argentinas to join SkyTeam in 2012
Aerolineas Argentinas Airbus A340-312 LV-BMT (msn 048) MIA (Bruce Drum), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Aerolineas Argentinas (Buenos Aires) is planning to join the SkyTeam Alliance in 2012.
Copyright Photo: Bruce Drum. Please click on photo for additional details.
US Airways and Mesa Air Group extend their contract
US Airways Express-Mesa Airlines Bombardier CRJ900 (CL-600-2D24) N919FJ (msn 15019) CLT (Bruce Drum), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
US Airways (Phoenix) and the Mesa Air Group, Inc. (Phoenix) have announced they have reached an agreement in principle to extend their code share agreement covering 38 Bombardier CRJ900 aircraft for an additional term of 39 months to September 2015. Under the term sheet, Mesa Airlines, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Mesa Air Group, will continue to provide regional jet service under the US Airways Express banner. The agreement is subject to approval by Mesa’s and US Airways Boards of Directors and the Bankruptcy Court overseeing Mesa’s restructuring.
Copyright Photo: Bruce Drum. Please click on photo for more background information.
Under the agreement Mesa will continue to provide US Airways Express service out of US Airways’ hubs in Phoenix, AZ and Charlotte, NC utilizing aircraft in Mesa’s current fleet.
Pinnacle Airlines Bombardier CRJ200 diverts to Fargo
Delta Connection-Pinnacle Airlines Bombardier CRJ200 (CL-600-2B19) N8588D (msn 7588) MSP (Bruce Drum), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Pinnacle Airlines (Delta Connection) (Memphis) Bombardier CRJ200 diverted to Fargo yesterday. The Minneapolis/St. Paul to Grand Forks flight made an emergency landing at Fargo due to “suspicious condition in the lavatory” by a passenger who was questioned. There were no injuries and no charges resulted from the incident.
Pinnacle Flight DL 4375 operated with a Bombardier CRJ200 left MSP at 9:15 a.m. (0915) and diverted to Fargo.
Read the full report from INFORUM:
Copyright Photo: Bruce Drum. Pinnacle Airlines’ Bombardier CRJ200 (CL-600-2B19) N8588D (msn 7588) approaches MSP for landing.
Southwest Airlines is positioned to order larger Boeing 737-800s
Southwest Airlines Boeing 727-291 N406BN (msn 19991) DAL (Bruce Drum) (rare type, titles, logo), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Southwest Airlines (Dallas) is positioned to convert some of its Boeing 737-700s on order for larger 737-800s. The decision to bring the Boeing 737-800 into the WN fleet moved yet another step closer to reality yesterday as the Board of Directors for the Southwest Airlines Pilots’ Association (SWAPA), representing more than 5,800 Pilots, unanimously approved a tentative agreement reached with the Company. The tentative agreement will now be presented to the full SWAPA membership for a ratification vote.
If approved by a majority vote of the Pilots, their current contract will be extended by one year, becoming amendable August 31, 2012, and also include the potential for wage rate increases based on the Company’s financial performance.
Last month, the Executive Board of the Transport Workers Union (TWU) Local 556, representing more than 9,700 Southwest Flight Attendants, unanimously approved a tentative agreement reached with the Company. The tentative agreement is currently being presented to all members of TWU 556 for a ratification vote.
Copyright Photo: Bruce Drum. This is not the first time WN has operated larger aircraft than the 737-700. Click on the historic photo for the full story.
United Airlines files for Los Angeles-Shanghai authority
United Airlines Boeing 777-222 ER N787UA (msn 26939) SEA (Bruce Drum), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
United Airlines (United Continental Holdings, Inc.) (Chicago) has filed an application with the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) for authority to begin daily nonstop service between the airline’s Los Angeles hub and Shanghai, starting on May 20, 2011. In addition, Continental Airlines applied for authority to place its CO code on the United-operated flights between the two cities.
The proposed flights from Los Angeles will depart at 1:33 p.m. (1333) and arrive at Shanghai Pudong International Airport at 5:55 p.m. (1755) the next day. Service from Shanghai, beginning on May 21, 2011, will depart at 7:50 p.m. (1950) and arrive in Los Angeles at 4:47 p.m. (1647) the same day.
United intends to operate the service with three-cabin Boeing 777-200 ER aircraft, which offer customers service in United First ®, United Business ® and United Economy ®.
United currently serves Shanghai daily from Chicago (O’Hare) and San Francisco. Continental serves Shanghai daily from Newark.
Additionally, United Airlines is boosting service into Mexico City from its hubs in Chicago (O’Hare), Denver, Los Angeles and San Francisco. United will launch a second daily flight from Los Angeles to Mexico City beginning on October 15, and a third daily beginning pn January 4, 2011. From Chicago, United’s current Saturday-only service to Mexico City will become twice-daily beginning November 4. From San Francisco, daily service to Mexico City becomes twice-daily on November 4. From Denver, United will offer once-daily service to Mexico City between December 16 and January 3, 2011. All flights will be operated with Airbus A319 and Airbus A320 aircraft.
From Washington Dulles, United currently offers daily service to Mexico City.
Copyright Photo: Bruce Drum. Boeing 777-222 ER N787UA (msn 26939) arrives from Tokyo (Narita) at Seattle/Tacoma.
Frontier Airlines is considering other “marketing” options with other larger airlines
Frontier Airlines (2nd) Airbus A319-111 N942FR (msn 2497) LAX (Bruce Drum) “Stan”, originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Frontier Airlines (2nd) (Denver) is in discussions about possible new “marketing agreements” with other larger airlines according to this article in Bloomberg.
Read the full report:
Copyright Photo: Bruce Drum. Airbus A319-111 N942FR (msn 2497) taxies to the gate at Los Angeles.
Virgin America to lease four Airbus A320s from Sahaab Aircraft Leasing
Virgin America Airbus A320-214 N625VA (msn 2800) SEA (Bruce Drum), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Virgin America (San Francisco) will lease four Airbus A320-200s from Sahaab Aircraft Leasing, a subsidiary of the Jazeera Airways Group.
Read the full report from Reuters:
Copyright Photo: Bruce Drum. Airbus A320-214 N625VA (msn 2800) taxies to the gate at Seattle/Tacoma.
American Airlines receives U.S. DOT approval to fly from Los Angeles to Shanghai
American Airlines Boeing 777-223 N785AN (msn 30005) MIA (Bruce Drum), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
American Airlines (Dallas/Fort Worth) has received U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) approval to fly between Los Angeles and Shanghai, China.
The company issued the following statement:
“We are very pleased that the United States Department of Transportation (DOT) has granted us the authority and frequencies needed to begin new service between Los Angeles and Shanghai, the largest market for travel between the United States and China that is not presently served by a U.S. airline. These new flights will enrich American’s customer service offering to China and will expand American’s schedule at Los Angeles International Airport, one of its five cornerstone cities.
“We thank DOT officials for their expedited review of our request and we look forward to launching these new daily flights on April 5 using 247-seat Boeing 777 aircraft, which feature 16 First Class, 37 Business Class and 194 Economy Class seats.
“This has been a terrific week for the employees, customers, and shareholders of American Airlines. We have launched our new joint business with our immunized trans-Atlantic and oneworld partners, British Airways and Iberia. We have announced new service from New York Kennedy to Budapest, as well as a second Barcelona flight, plus new service from Chicago O’Hare to Helsinki and a second flight between Miami and Madrid. In addition, DOT has tentatively granted trans-Pacific antitrust immunity for American and its oneworld partner Japan Airlines.”
Copyright Photo: Bruce Drum. Boeing 777-223 ER N785AN (msn 30005) taxies to the runway at Miami.
American Airlines to recall 545 flight attendants and 250 pilots
American Airlines Boeing 737-823 WL N936AN (msn 29532) DCA (Bruce Drum) (35 more 737-800s ordered), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
American Airlines (Dallas/Fort Worth) today announced that it is sending recall notices to 545 flight attendants and 250 pilots. Several factors contributed to the company’s ability to recall, primarily its efforts to capitalize on new international flying and business opportunities with British Airways and Iberia, continuing to strengthen its cornerstone hubs, and preparing for it’s pending alliance with Japan Airlines.
The first group of 25 pilots will be recalled in mid-November, and the company will continue to recall at a rate of approximately 30 per month. For flight attendants, recall notices will be sent in phases. The first notices will be issued to approximately 225 flight attendants this month; subsequent notifications will follow later in the year.
Copyright Photo: Bruce Drum. Boeing 737-823 N936AN (msn 29532) completes the river approach at Reagan National Airport in Washington.
JetBlue Airways to fly from Jacksonville to San Juan
JetBlue Airways Airbus A320-232 N534JB (msn 1705) (Blueberries) FLL (Bruce Drum), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
JetBlue Airways (New York-JFK) today announced plans to continue expanding its San Juan, Puerto Rico focus city at Luis Munoz Marin International Airport with daily nonstop service to Jacksonville, Florida beginning on May 19, 2011. The new route will be the only nonstop service between the Caribbean and Jacksonville, Florida.
Copyright Photo: Bruce Drum. Airbus A320-232 N534JB (msn 1705) climbs away from runway 27R at Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood.
American Eagle starts Miami-Gainesville and LaGuardia-Minneapolis/St. Paul service
American Eagle Airlines (2nd)-Executive Airlines ATR 72-212 N270AT (msn 270) MIA (Bruce Drum), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
American Eagle Airlines (2nd) (Dallas/Fort Worth) yesterday (October 1)began nonstop service between Miami International Airport (MIA) and Gainesville Regional Airport (GNV) in Gainesville, FL. Executive Airlines (San Juan) operates the service with 64-seat ATR 72-200 turboprop aircraft.
In addition, American Eagle yesterday also launched four daily nonstop flights between New York LaGuardia Airport (LGA) and Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport (MSP). Eagle flies the route with Bombardier CRJ700 regional jet aircraft, featuring Eagle’s new First Class service.
Copyright Photo: Bruce Drum. ATR 72-212 N270AT (msn 270) of Executive Airlines operating under the American Eagle brand taxies to the gate at the Miami hub.
AirTran Airways adds more Sun Belt flights
AirTran Airways Boeing 737-76N WL N289AT (msn 32673) LAS (Bruce Drum), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
AirTran Airways (Orlando) announced new nonstop service from Tampa to Key West, as well as additional flights to Tampa, San Juan, Phoenix and Orlando beginning this winter.
The company will also begin nonstop flights between Milwaukee and Phoenix on December 13, 2010.
Service between Akron/Canton and Orlando will start on December 21, 2010.
New flights between Milwaukee and Tampa will also start on March 8, 2011.
Finally a new route between Baltimore/Washington and San Juan will be available starting on April 5, 2011.
Southwest Airlines announced its intends to acquire and merge AirTran Airways.
Copyright Photo: Bruce Drum. Boeing 737-76N N289AT (msn 32673) approaches Las Vegas for landing.
JetBlue Airways wants to grow without any merger
JetBlue Airways Airbus A320-232 N636JB (msn 2755) (1st-Stripes) FLL (Bruce Drum), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
JetBlue Airways (New York-JFK) wants to grow organically rather than growing through a merger according to this report by Reuters.
Read the full story:
Copyright Photo: Bruce Drum. This was the first tail design for jetBlue Airways, introduced in 1999. Airbus A320-232 N636JB (msn 2755) taxies to runway 9L at Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood.
Tomorrow will be the last day of Continental Airlines
Continental Airlines Boeing 737-924 ER WL N75436 (msn 33531) FLL (1947 “Blue Skyway” Retrojet) (Bruce Drum), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Continental Airlines (Houston) will operate for the last time on September 30 with the last flights of the day. Officially on October 1, 2010 Continental and United Airlines (Chicago) will be merged as “equals” although the United name will survive. Oddly CO’s 1991 livery will live on as the merged airline’s color scheme.
Boeing 737-924 ER N53442 (msn 33536) is the first CO airplane to receive UA titles. Aircraft 285 and 124 should follow.
The first new UA revenue flight is expected to depart Houston (Bush Intercontinental) on Friday morning. More information to follow.
We will be honoring the history of CO over the next few days with additional historical photos.
Copyright Photo: Bruce Drum. Honoring the past, Boeing 737-924 ER N75436 (msn 33531) departing Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood was painted in the 1947 “Blue Skyway” livery (initially this livery was introduced on metal fuselages).
Continental Airlines on Flickr Slide Show:
Continental Airlines on AG Slide Show (press >):
Air Transat to lease two additional Airbus A330-200s
Air Transat Airbus A330-243 C-GPTS (msn 480) FLL (Bruce Drum), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Air Transat (Montreal) has signed an agreement with CIT Aerospace for the long-term leasing of two Airbus A330 wide-body jets.
Air Transat’s fleet currently includes 13 Airbus A310s, which will be gradually withdrawn from service, and Airbus A330s. Five of the latter are currently in use, three more will be in operation by the end of this year and an additional three in 2011, including the two A330-200s announced here, bringing the total of A330s to eleven at the end of 2011.
Copyright Photo: Bruce Drum. Airbus A330-243 C-GPTS (msn 480) is pictured on final approach for runway 9L at Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood in the previous 1998 livery.
JetBlue Airways teams up with ViaSat
JetBlue Airways Airbus A320-232 N645JB (msn 2900) (Jetting to T5) FLL (Bruce Drum), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
JetBlue Airways (New York-JFK) and ViaSat Inc. announced their intent to create a new inflight broadband for commercial aviation, using ViaSat’s innovative high-capacity satellite technology.
ViaSat and JetBlue have entered into a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for the provision of in-flight broadband access and other services for customers on JetBlue’s fleet of more than 160 aircraft using ViaSat advanced Ka-band satellites. Under the arrangement, ViaSat will provide Ka-band antenna components and SurfBeam®2 modems for installation on the airline’s Embraer ERJ 190 and Airbus A320 aircraft types along with two-way transmission bandwidth services using the WildBlue-1 and high-capacity ViaSat-1 satellites. JetBlue subsidiary, LiveTV LLC, will manage the integration of the ViaSat broadband and related components onboard the aircraft as well as providing the Wi-Fi enabled services into the overall cabin experience.
Copyright Photo: Bruce Drum. Airbus A320-232 N645JB (msn 2900) climbs away from runway 27R at Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood.
Allegiant Air continues to add new routes, will also fly for Peppermill Casinos
Allegiant Air McDonnell Douglas DC-9-87 (MD-87) N949MA (msn 49779) FLL (Bruce Drum), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Allegiant Air (Las Vegas) has announced new, nonstop jet service between Grand Rapids, MI and Punta Gorda, FL (near Fort Myers) will begin on November 18.
The new flights will operate twice weekly between Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GRR) and Charlotte County Airport (PGD), with service on Thursdays and Sundays. Flights will depart Grand Rapids at 7 a.m. (0700) arriving in Charlotte County Airport at 9:45 a.m. (0945). Flights leaving Charlotte County Airport will depart at 10:25 a.m. (1025) arriving in Grand Rapids at 1:20 p.m. (1320) (all flight times are local). The carrier will utilize a full-size, 150-seat DC-9-82/83 (MD-80) jet aircraft on the route.
The company also announced new, nonstop jet service between Idaho Falls, ID and Mesa, AZ (near Phoenix) will begin on November 12.
The new flights will operate twice weekly between Idaho Falls Regional Airport (IDA) and Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport (IWA) with service on Mondays and Fridays. Flights will depart Idaho Falls at 12 p.m. (1200) arriving in Mesa at 2 p.m. (1400). Flights leaving Mesa will depart at 9:20 a.m. (0920) arriving in Idaho Falls at 11:20 a.m. (1120) (all flight times are local).
Allegiant also announced that it has entered into a three-year, fixed-fee agreement with Peppermill Casinos, Inc. Under the agreement, Allegiant will provide air transportation for the casino company’s three Wendover, NV properties. Allegiant expects to generate more than $20 million in revenue over the three-year term of the agreement. The agreement is subject to earlier termination by either party.
By March 1, 2011, Allegiant will base one 150-seat, DC-9-80 (MD-80) series jet aircraft in Wendover to provide charter services to a number of small cities throughout the United States for the Peppermill’s three Wendover resort properties: Montego Bay Casino Resort, Rainbow & Hotel Casino and Peppermill Hotel & Casino. The travel company will establish a base in Wendover with more than 20 employees, including maintenance, flight crews and stations personnel.
Copyright Photo: Bruce Drum. Allegiant also operates three smaller DC-9-87 (MD-87) aircraft. N949MA (msn 49779) taxies to runway 9L at Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood.
Mesa Air Group proposes to make US Airways a part owner
US Airways Express-Mesa Airlines Bombardier CRJ900 (CL-600-2D24) N919FJ (msn 15019) CLT (Bruce Drum), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Mesa Air Group (Phoenix) is proposing to issue 10 percent of its post-bankruptcy stock to US Airways in exchange for a new US Airways Express contract under its restructuring plan filed September 17 in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in New York.
Read the full report from Bloomberg Businessweek:
Copyright Photo: Bruce Drum. Mesa’s Bombardier CRJ900 (CL-600-2D24) N919FJ (msn 15019) taxies to the runway at Charlotte.
Allegiant Air to fly Greensboro-Punta Gorda
Allegiant Air McDonnell Douglas DC-9-83 (MD-83) N872GA (msn 53295) FLL (Bruce Drum), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Allegiant Air (Las Vegas) announced new, nonstop jet service between Greensboro, NC, and Punta Gorda, FL (near Fort Myers) will begin on November 18.
The new flights will operate twice weekly between Greensboro (Piedmont Triad International Airport) (GSO) and Punta Gorda (Charlotte County Airport) (PGD), with service on Thursday and Sunday. Flights will depart GSO at 2 p.m. (1400) arriving in Charlotte County Airport at 3:50 p.m. (1550). Flights leaving Punta Gorda will depart at 1:10 p.m. (1310) arriving in GSO at 3 p.m. (1500) (all flight times are local). The carrier will utilize a full-size, 150-seat DC-9-82/83 (MD-82/83) jet aircraft on the route. The company also offers nonstop flights from GSO to the Sanford and St. Petersburg, FL.
Copyright Photo: Bruce Drum. McDonnell Douglas DC-9-83 (MD-83) N872GA (msn 53295) taxies to runway 9L at Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood.
UAL Corporation’s stockholders approve the merger of United and Continental
United Airlines Boeing 757-222 WL N549UA (msn 25397) SEA (Bruce Drum) (stockholders approve merger), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
UAL Corporation, the parent company whose primary subsidiary is United Airlines (Chicago), announced yesterday (September 17) that its stockholders approved the merger of a wholly owned subsidiary of UAL with and into Continental Airlines (Houston), clearing the way for the merger to close by an expected date of October 1. More than 98 percent of the votes cast and 84 percent of the shares outstanding were voted by UAL stockholders in favor of the transaction. More than 98 percent of the votes cast and 75 percent of the shares outstanding were voted by Continental stockholders in favor of the transaction.
Copyright Photo: Bruce Drum. Although the United name will survive, many observers are lamenting the loss of this sharp-looking scheme for United Airlines which was introduced in 2004 and will now be retired. This merger will also end the long reign of the “U” logo which was first introduced in 1974 in another form.
Continental Airlines’ stockholders approve the merger with United Airlines
Continental Airlines Boeing 737-924 ER WL N38403 (msn 30120) SEA (Bruce Drum) (Wi-Fi), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Continental Airlines (Houston) announced that its stockholders voted overwhelmingly to approve the merger of United Airlines (Chicago), a wholly-owned subsidiary of UAL Corporation with and into Continental at a special meeting held yesterday (September 17) in Houston, Texas. More than 98 percent of the votes cast and 75 percent of shares outstanding were voted in favor of the transaction.
Copyright Photo: Bruce Drum. Under terms of the merger the Continental name will disappear but this color scheme will survive. Boeing 737-924 ER (Extended Range) N38403 (msn 30120) waits its turn for departure from Seattle/Tacoma.
Alaska Airlines to start two new routes to Guadalajara
Alaska Airlines Boeing 737-890 WL N570AS (msn 35185) SEA (Bruce Drum), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Alaska Airlines (Seattle/Tacoma) will inaugurate service between San Jose, CA and Guadalajara, Mexico, starting on December 15, 2010, and between Sacramento, CA, and Guadalajara, starting on December 16, 2010.
The new flights will be operated with Boeing 737-800 aircraft, accommodating 16 passengers in first class and 141 in the main cabin.
Copyright Photo: Bruce Drum. Is a sombrero coming for the Eskimo on the tail with the new focus on routes to Mexico? Boeing 737-890 N570AS (msn 35185) with the Lei around the Eskimo (used to promote the new routes to Hawaii) waits its turn for takeoff at the SeaTac hub.
AirTran to fly Tampa-San Juan
AirTran Airways Boeing 737-76N WL N289AT (msn 32673) LAS (Bruce Drum), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
AirTran Airways (Orlando) announced plans to Puerto Rico with twice daily flights from Tampa, FL. JetBlue has announced it is expanding service on the same route.
The new flights will begin on April 5, 2011.
Copyright Photo: Bruce Drum. Boeing 737-76N N289AT (msn 32673) prepares to land at Las Vegas.
Allegiant Air to fly Northwest Arkansas-Mesa
Allegiant Air McDonnell Douglas DC-9-83 (MD-83) N866GA (msn 49910) LAS (Bruce Drum), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Allegiant Air (Las Vegas) has announced new, nonstop jet service between Northwest Arkansas Airport (Fayetteville) and Mesa, AZ (near Phoenix) will begin on November 18.
The new flights will operate twice weekly between the Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport (XNA) and Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport (IWA) with service on Thursdays and Sundays. Flights will depart Northwest Arkansas at 8:25 p.m. (2025) arriving in Phoenix-Mesa at 10:05 p.m. (2205). Flights leaving Phoenix-Mesa will depart at 4:20 p.m. (1620) arriving in Northwest Arkansas at 7:45 p.m. (1945) (all flight times are local). The company offers nonstop service to three other destinations, Las Vegas, Los Angeles and Sanford, FL (near Orlando).
Copyright Photo: Bruce Drum. McDonnell Douglas DC-9-83 (MD-83) N866GA (msn 49910) is pictured on final approach at Las Vegas.
World Atlantic Airlines starts its certification process
World Atlantic Airlines McDonnell Douglas DC-9-83 (MD-83) N802WA (msn 53052) MIA (new airline) (Bruce Drum), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
World Atlantic Airlines (Miami) on September 10 started its FAA proving flights, hopefully leading to its AOC and Part 121 certification. The new charter airline plans to operate for federal agencies.
Copyright Photo: Bruce Drum. The first aircraft for the new company is this ex-Alaska Airlines McDonnell Douglas DC-9-83 (MD-83) N802WA (msn 53052).
Sun Country Airlines receives a judicial approval for its plan to exit bankruptcy protection
Sun Country Airlines Boeing 737-7Q8 N712SY (msn 28219) SEA (Bruce Drum), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Sun Country Airlines (Minneapolis/St. Paul) yesterday (September 10) announced the confirmation of its plan of reorganization which allows the company to exit Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. The plan was confirmed by Judge Robert J. Kressel during a court hearing on September 10 in Minneapolis and was overwhelmingly approved by the creditors eligible to vote. The plan provides for cash payments to certain creditors, as well as a distribution of equity in the reorganized company to other creditors.
Copyright Photo: Bruce Drum. Ex-Gol Boeing 737-7Q8 N712ST (msn 28219) taxies to the active runway at Seattle/Tacoma.
Copa Airlines to fly to St. Maarten
Copa Airlines Boeing 737-7V3 WL HP-1377CMP (msn 30462) MIA (Bruce Drum), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Copa Airlines (Panama City) announced new service direct from Panama City to the Caribbean island of St. Maarten (St. Martin), beginning on December 18, 2010.
The new flight will depart Panama City (PTY) on Tuesdays and Saturdays at 12:22 p.m. (1222), arriving in St. Maarten (SXM) at 4:17 p.m. (1617). The return flight will depart on the same days at 5:30 p.m. (1730), arriving in Panama City at 7:44 p.m. (1944).
Copyright Photo: Bruce Drum. Boeing 737-7V3 HP-1377CMP (msn 30462) taxies to the South Terminal at Miami International Airport.
US Airways’ pilots protest pay and the slow pace of contract talks
US Airways Airbus A319-112 N733UW (msn 1205) (Pittsburgh Steelers) CLT (Bruce Drum), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
The US Airline Pilots Association (USAPA), representing the pilots of US Airways (Phoenix) are picketing at the Philadelphia International Airport today (September 8) to bring attention to what it believes to be US Airways’ deliberate efforts to drag out contract negotiations since 2005, while benefiting from paying its pilots the lowest wages among the major airlines.
In September 2005, US Airways and America West Airlines announced a merger of the two carriers. In USAPA’s view, that attempt at consolidation has not gone smoothly.
Because of the separate pilot contracts, US Airways is really two airlines (East and West) operating under the same brand but the flight crews and aircraft are not mixed.
According to the union, the US Airways pilots entered contract negotiations with management in November 2005 under the terms of a Transition Agreement at the time of the US Airways-America West merger. In April 2009, USAPA requested a National Mediation Board (NMB) facilitator to assist the parties in reaching an agreement, but US Airways rejected that proposal. In November 2009, USAPA applied directly to the NMB for federally-mediated talks. The NMB granted that request in January 2010. NMB-mediated contract negotiations are currently ongoing.
USAPA believes that, should US Airways management fail to adequately address the pilots’ concerns, contract talks could reach an impasse and end in a self-help situation.
Copyright Photo: Bruce Drum. Belonging to the East fleet, Airbus A319-112 N733UW (msn 1205), dressed in the NFL’s Pittsburgh Steelers brand, taxies to the runway at Charlotte. The NFL begins a new football season on September 9.
Delta retires the last DC-9-31/32 from scheduled service
Northwest Airlines-NWA McDonnell Douglas DC-9-31 N8929E (msn 45866) MSP (Bruce Drum) (Delta retires the last DC-9-31/32 from scheduled service), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Delta Air Lines (Atlanta) has retired the last Douglas DC-9-31/32 from scheduled service. The last flight was flight DL 2106 from Detroit to Manchester, NH on September 6. A few aircraft will be retained through October as operational spares and as charter aircraft.
Previously Delta retired the type in June 1975 but inherited the type again with the merger with Northwest Airlines.
The DC-9-41s (still unpainted) and DC-9-51s (repainted) continue to operate on scheduled Delta routes.
Copyright Photo: Bruce Drum. DC-9-31 N8929E (msn 45866) prepares to land at Minneapolis/St. Paul hub. None of the DC-9-31/32s were repainted in Delta’s colors due to the impeding retirement.
Frontier Airlines is coming to St. Petersburg/Clearwater
Frontier Airlines (2nd) Airbus A319-111 N902FR (msn 1515) SEA (Bruce Drum), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Frontier Airlines (2nd) (Denver) has announced it will move its seasonal service between Milwaukee and Tampa International Airport (TPA) to the St. Petersburg/Clearwater International Airport (PIE) beginning on November 18, 2010. The route will be operating with Airbus A319s operated by Frontier.
In addition to the Milwaukee service, Frontier also announced seasonal twice-weekly nonstop service between St. Petersburg/Clearwater and Omaha (OMA) beginning on January 16, 2011. This route will be flown by Embraer ERJ 190s operated by Republic Airlines (2nd) for Frontier.
In addition Frontier announced the addition of nonstop service from Omaha (OMA) to both San Diego (SAN) and Los Angeles (LAX). The carrier also announced the return of seasonal nonstop service from Omaha to both Orlando (MCO) and St. Petersburg/Clearwater (PIE).
Frontier will utilize Republic Airlines’ Embraer ERJ 190 aircraft on each of these new routes.
Copyright Photo: Bruce Drum. Airbus A319-111 N902FR (msn 1515) taxies to runway 34R at SeaTac.
ExpressJet Airlines’ pilots now are “optimistic” for the sale to SkyWest
Continental Express-ExpressJet Airlines Embraer ERJ 145XR (EMB-145XR) N13124 (msn 145689) MSP (Bruce Drum), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
ExpressJet Airlines’ (Houston) pilots, who are represented by the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA), met this week to determine their position on the proposed sale of ExpressJet Airlines to SkyWest Holdings, Inc. (St. George) and the planned subsequent merger of the airline with Atlantic Southeast Airlines (ASA) (Atlanta), which was announced on August 4, 2010. The history of airline mergers has shown that pilot support is critical to an airline’s ability to fully realize the financial and operational gains from a merger.
After the August 4, 2010 announcement, the pilots’ union publicly stated a number of requirements that must be met for pilot support of the transaction:
- the transaction must result in a profitable airline that provides long-term stability and progressive career potential for our pilots;
- the transaction must honor the scope and successorship provisions of our collective bargaining agreement;
- management must commit to negotiating a joint collective bargaining agreement that benefits all pilots; and
- there must be a fair and equitable seniority list integration.
The union is now optimistic that the needs of the pilots will be protected.
Copyright Photo: Bruce Drum. Embraer ERJ 145XR (EMB-145XR) N13124 (msn 145689) operating as Continental Express prepares to land at Minneapolis/St. Paul.
Comair to slash aircraft and jobs
Comair Bombardier CRJ100 (CL-600-2B19) N729CA (msn 7265) (Cincinnati Hub) MIA (Bruce Drum), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Comair (Cincinnati) is planning to cut one half of its existing fleet and the corresponding jobs according to this article in Cincinnati.com. Comair will also close its New York (JFK) crew base.
Read the full report:
Copyright Photo: Bruce Drum. This Bombardier CRJ100 (CL-600-2B19) N729CA (msn 7265) once proudly proclaimed its hometown CVG hub and city. Times have changed for the subsidiary of Delta Air Lines.
Virgin America to fly to Cancun and Cabo
Virgin America Airbus A320-214 N625VA (msn 2800) SEA, originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Virgin America (San Francisco) has announced it will serve San Jose del Cabo International Airport (SJD) and Cancun International Airport (CUN) with nonstop flights from California starting this winter. Nonstop flights launch from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to SJD as of December 16, 2010, from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to CUN as of January 19, 2011, and from SFO-CUN as of January 20, 2011.
Copyright Photo: Bruce Drum. Airbus A320-214 N625VA (msn 2800) awaits takeoff clearance at Seattle/Tacoma.
Frontier Airlines to add weekly Denver-Liberia (Costa Rica) service
Frontier Airlines (2nd) Airbus A319-111 N919FR (msn 1980) FLL (Bruce Drum), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Frontier Airlines (2nd) (Denver) has announced plans to expand its international service with the addition of a second Costa Rica destination. Frontier will launch seasonal service to Liberia, Costa Rica (LIR) beginning Feb. 13, 2011, with weekly nonstop flights to/from its hub at Denver International Airport (DEN). The flight will operate on Sundays with Airbus A319s through August 21, 2011.
Copyright Photo: Bruce Drum. Airbus A319-111 N919FR (msn 1980) departs from Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood.
Delta to add five new destinations and 14 new flights from Raleith/Durham
Delta McDonnell Douglas MD-90-30 N902DA (msn 53382) FLL (Bruce Drum), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Delta Air Lines (Atlanta) is building up its services from Raleigh/Durham. Starting on November 11, DL will add new destinations from RDU and 14 new flights bringing the total to 54 flights.
Read the full report from the Triangle Business Journal:
Copyright Photo: Bruce Drum. McDonnell Douglas MD-90-30 N902DA (msn 53382) prepares for departure from Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood.
Allegiant Air to start Minot-Las Vegas service
Allegiant Air McDonnell Douglas DC-9-87 (MD-87) N949MA (msn 49779) FLL (Bruce Drum), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Allegiant Air (Las Vegas) has announced new, nonstop jet service between Minot, ND and Las Vegas starting on October 22.
The new flights will operate twice weekly between Minot International Airport (MOT) and McCarran International Airport (LAS), with service on Monday and Friday. Flights will depart Minot at 12:10 p.m. (1210) arriving in Las Vegas at 1 p.m. (1300). Flights leaving Las Vegas will depart at 6:50 a.m. (0650) arriving in Minot at 11:30 a.m. (1130) (all flight times are local). The carrier will utilize a full-size, 150-seat McDonnell Douglas DC-9-80 (MD-80) jet aircraft on the route.
Copyright Photo: Bruce Drum. DC-9-87 (MD-87) N949MA (msn 49779) taxies to runway 9L at Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood.
Horizon Air to change its business plan
Horizon Air Bombardier DHC-8-402 (Q400) N428QX (msn 4160) SEA (Bruce Drum) (to give up brand), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Horizon Air (Seattle/Tacoma) is planning to give up its branded operations and will enter into a full capacity purchase agreement (CPA) with its parent Alaska Airlines starting on January 1, 2011.
Read the full report from Aviation Week:
Copyright Photo: Bruce Drum. Bombardier DHC-8-402 (Q400) N428QX (msn 4160) holds for runway takeoff clearance at the Seattle/Tacoma base.
American Eagle moves into new facilities at Miami
American Eagle Airlines Embraer ERJ Tails MIA (Bruce Drum), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
American Eagle Airlines (Dallas/Fort Worth) yesterday (August 19) celebrated the unveiling of its new location in the North Terminal of Miami International Airport (MIA).
A state-of-the-art facility housing both American and American Eagle, the new terminal offers customers improved check-in and domestic baggage claim, with an array of shops and restaurants featuring the flavors of South Florida. American Eagle has completed the initial phase of its transition to new departure areas at gates D53, D55 and D60.
The new departure lounge features two concourse-level gates with jetbridges for convenient boarding. When the next phase of construction is complete, lower-level gates will eliminate the need for most shuttle buses to take passengers to awaiting aircraft. A new Skytrain is expected to open in September that will whisk thousands of customers per hour along the 1.4 mile North Terminal concourse, enabling easy connections to American Airlines flights.
Copyright Photo: Bruce Drum.
Allegiant Air to start Moline/Quad Cities-Las Vegas flights
Allegiant Air McDonnell Douglas DC-9-83 (MD-83) N866GA (msn 49910) LAS (Bruce Drum), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Allegiant Air (Las Vegas) announced new, nonstop jet service between the Moline/Quad Cities, IL, and Las Vegas will begin on October 14. Fares start at $44.99.
Copyright Photo: Bruce Drum. McDonnell Douglas DC-9-83 (MD-83) N866GA (msn 49910) arrives at the LAS hub.
Lynx Aviation gets a reprieve, will keep three Q400s to serve Aspen
Frontier Airlines (2nd)-Lynx Aviation Bombardier DHC-8-402 (Q400) N501LX (msn 4165) DEN (Bruce Drum), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Frontier Airlines (2nd) (Denver) and the Republic Airways Holdings parent is giving the Lynx Aviation (Denver) division another chance to survive. Frontier announced that Lynx will continue its Denver (DEN) to Aspen (ASE) service under the Frontier brand. Frontier will service the Aspen flights with Lynx’s Bombardier DHC-8-400 (Q400) turboprop aircraft. Service will include one departure per day from October 1 through November 17, two departures per day November 18 through December 15 and four daily departures from December 16 through April 2011. Frontier Airlines is a wholly owned subsidiary of Republic Airways Holdings, Inc. (Indianapolis).
Frontier had announced in late July that it would cease its Denver to Aspen service on September 30. However, the company has made the decision to retain three of its Bombardier Q400 aircraft in order to carry on service to Aspen and several other Colorado locations.
In addition to Aspen, Frontier will use the Q400s to serve other Colorado routes, including Durango and Colorado Springs.
Copyright Photo: Bruce Drum. Bombardier DHC-8-402 (Q400) N501LX (msn 4165) taxies from the gate at the DEN hub.
AirTran Airways to drop the Atlanta-Miami route on October 7
AirTran Airways Boeing 717-2BD N895AT (msn 55047) MIA (Bruce Drum), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
AirTran Airways (Orlando) will drop the Atlanta-Miami route on October 7.
Copyright Photo: Bruce Drum. Boeing 717-2BD N895AT (msn 55047) taxies to the gate at MIA.
Air Transat’s pilots call for a strike if negotiations fail
Air Transat Airbus A330-243 C-GITS (msn 271) FLL (Bruce Drum), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Air Transat’s (Montreal) pilots, represented by the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA), have voted for a strike if a collective agreement is not reached with their management. In a recent strike ballot issued by the union leadership to the pilot group, an overwhelming 97 percent of pilots voted in favor of a lawful strike, should it become necessary to conclude a fair collective agreement with Air Transat management. The pilots have been in negotiations since January of this year.
On June 25, Canada’s Minister of Labour, Lisa Raitt, appointed Ms. Maureen Flynn to serve as conciliation commissioner. The conciliation time line establishes a series of hard deadlines for negotiators, including a 60-day conciliation period that will expire on September 10, 2010, unless the parties agree to extend the process. Under the Canada Labour Code, both the strike authorization vote and written notification to the company are required steps before any withdrawal of services can begin. At the end of conciliation, a mandatory 21-day waiting period will go into effect, which concludes at midnight on October 1, at which time Air Transat pilots will be in a legal position to strike.
After more than six months of bargaining, substantial issues remain open, particularly in the areas of job outsourcing, pilot fatigue mitigation, and compensation.
Copyright Photo: Bruce Drum. Airbus A330-243 C-GITS (msn 271) taxies to runway 9L at Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood.
Copa Holdings reports a 2Q net profit of $18.6 million
Copa Airlines Boeing 737-7V3 WL HP-1377CMP (msn 30462) MIA (Bruce Drum), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Copa Holdings, S.A. (Panama City), parent company of Copa Airlines (Panama City) and AeroRepublica (Bogota), announced financial results for the second quarter of 2010 (2Q10).
Copa Holdings reported net income of US$18.6 million for 2Q10, or earnings per share (EPS) of US$0.42. Excluding special items, Copa Holdings would have reported an adjusted net income of $26.3 million, or $0.60 per share, compared to an adjusted net income of US$28.1 million or US$0.64 per share for 2Q09.
Copyright Photo: Bruce Drum. Copa Airlines’ Boeing 737-7V3 HP-1377CMP (msn 30462) taxies to the gate at Miami.
WestJet announces new seasonal routes
WestJet Airlines Boeing 737-7CT WL C-FEWJ (msn 32769) MIA (Bruce Drum), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
WestJet Airlines (Calgary) announced the upcoming launch of two new seasonal non-stop services between Quebec City and Cancun and Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood.
Starting December 11, 2010, guests from Quebec City and its surrounding area will be able to fly nonstop to Cancun every Saturday until April 30, 2011. Service to Fort Lauderdale will begin December 12, 2010, with one flight every Sunday until April 24, 2011.
WestJet also announced the upcoming launch of a new seasonal nonstop service between Ottawa and Las Vegas. In addition to this new route, WestJet will also increase the frequency of flights from Ottawa to Cancun, Punta Cana, Montego Bay and Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood.
Starting on December 9, 2010, guests from Ottawa and its surrounding area will be able to fly nonstop to Las Vegas twice weekly until April 28, 2011. Also starting in December, frequency from Ottawa to Cancun will increase from two to three times weekly, from Ottawa to Punta Cana will increase from once to twice weekly, from Ottawa to Montego Bay will increase from twice to three times weekly, and from Ottawa to Fort Lauderdale will increase from once to twice weekly. These frequency increases are in addition to the recently announced year-round service from Ottawa to Vancouver and Halifax.
WestJet also announced it will launch new nonstop seasonal service this winter between Saskatoon and Phoenix. From December 17, 2010, until April 29, 2011, guests will be able to fly nonstop between Saskatoon and Phoenix once weekly on Fridays.
WestJet also announced it will fly nonstop between Edmonton and Orlando on a weekly basis starting on December 18, 2010.
Copyright Photo: Bruce Drum. Boeing 737-7CT C-FEWJ (msn 32769) taxies to the gate at Miami.
ExpressJet loses $18.6 million in the 2Q
Continental Express-ExpressJet Airlines Embraer ERJ 145LR (EMB-145LR) N15980 (msn 145202) CLT (Bruce Drum), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
ExpressJet Holdings, Inc. (Houston), parent company of regional and charter airline operator, ExpressJet Airlines (Houston) reported a second quarter loss of $5 million or $0.27 per diluted share excluding special items primarily related to non-cash adjustments of deferred tax assets and impairment of fixed assets. Including special items, ExpressJet’s loss totaled $18.6 million or $0.99 per diluted share for second quarter 2010.
For the six months ended June 30, ExpressJet’s loss excluding special items totaled $18.2 million or $1.00 per diluted share. Including special items, ExpressJet reported a loss of $34.7 million or $1.92 per diluted share for the six months ended June 30, 2010.
Subsequent to quarter-end, ExpressJet announced that it signed a definitive merger agreement with SkyWest, Inc. (Nasdaq:SKYW – News) whereby SkyWest, Inc. will acquire all of the outstanding common shares of ExpressJet for $6.75 per share in cash subject to the conditions of the definitive merger agreement. SkyWest, Inc. advised that its intention is that ExpressJet will be merged with its wholly-owned subsidiary, Atlantic Southeast Airlines following the closing of the transaction and receipt of all required regulatory approvals.
Copyright Photo: Bruce Drum. ExpressJet’s Embraer ERJ 145LR N15980 (msn 145202) taxies to the active runway at Charlotte.
