Tag Archives: American Eagle

Air Wisconsin to fly again for United Airlines as an United Express carrier

Air Wisconsin Airlines (Appleton, WI) was facing an uncertain future as American Airlines has not yet indicated if it will extend the current American Eagle contract which is due to expire in 2018.

Air Wisconsin has just signed a five-year capacity purhcase agreement (CPA) with United Airlines to once again fly as an United Express carrier. Air Wisconsin flew in United Express colors from October 26, 1986 to April 16, 2006 (below).

United Express-Air Wisconsin slide show:

Since then Air Wisconsin has operated as an US Airways Express and now an American Eagle carrier.

Air Wisconsin currently operates 66 Canadair (Bombardier) CRJ200 regional jets for American (below):

Copyright Photo: American Eagle-Air Wisconsin Bombardier CRJ200 (CL-600-2B19) N423AW (msn 7636) CLT (Jay Selman). Image: 403093.

American Eagle-Air Wisconsin slide show:

ALPA issued this statement representing the Air Wisconsin pilots:

Air Wisconsin pilots, represented by the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA), are applauding a new agreement with an old partner—United Airlines—that will give their carrier new flying for five years or more.

The agreement, announced on February 27, 2017 by United President Scott Kirby and Air Wisconsin CEO Christine Deister, came as the Wisconsin-based carrier was nearing the end of its contract with American Airlines. With the uncertainty of American renewing its contract with Air Wisconsin when it expires in early 2018, the agreement with United gives the airline and its employees new hope and opportunity.

“We are excited to renew our long-term relationship as a United Express carrier. Air Wisconsin flew under United’s colors from the 1980s until 2006, so for many of us at the airline, this announcement feels like we’re coming home,” said Capt. Chris Suhs, chairman of ALPA’s Air Wisconsin group.

According to Air Wisconsin management, the United agreement includes a career pathway program that will give pilots a path to jobs at the larger carrier if they meet United’s hiring standards and other conditions.

Suhs is hopeful that the stability the new deal with United provides will help Air Wisconsin attract and retain pilots, as well as assist management and the union in finally coming to terms on a new pilot contract. The two sides have been in negotiations for more than six years.

Piedmont Airlines to start Embraer 145 training in Charlotte as it transitions to an all-jet fleet

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Piedmont Airlines, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of American Airlines Group, will begin training pilots at the American Airlines Training Center in Charlotte to fly its fleet of Embraer 145 regional jets. The expansion comes as Piedmont transitions from turboprops to an all jet fleet.

Piedmont has added Embraer 145 desktop training stations in Charlotte and purchased a full sized Embraer cabin trainer for pilots and flight attendants. An E145 full motion simulator will be installed in Charlotte in 2017. Piedmont recently introduced a new pilot pay package that includes nearly $60,000 in pay and bonuses for first year pilots and an additional $20,000 in first officer retention payments.

Piedmont takes delivery of its twelfth jet in November, and will continue to add jets to the fleet through 2017. Pilots hired by Piedmont move to American Airlines in seniority order under a collective bargaining “flow” agreement. Piedmont currently employs approximately 470 pilots, but will expand that number to more than 600 in 2017.

Photo: Piedmont Airlines.

SkyWest reports net income of $41 million in the third quarter, outlines its fleet plans

SkyWest, Inc. (St. George, Utah) reported its financial and operating results for the third quarter of 2016, including net income of $41 million or $0.79 per diluted share, up from net income of $36 million or $0.71 per diluted share in Q3 2015. Excluding the $9 million non-cash impact of early lease return charges on six CRJ700s, adjusted diluted earnings per share was $0.90 in Q3 2016. Pre-tax income for the third quarter of 2016 was $67 million compared to $60 million in Q3 2015.

Commenting on the results, Chip Childs, SkyWest, Inc. Chief Executive Officer, said “Since early 2014, we have grown earnings by executing a complex fleet transition that added 67 new E175s and reduced our 50-seat fleet by over 120 aircraft. Our focus through 2017 will be on reducing the overall risk profile of the company, integrating the remaining deliveries of 37 E175s, optimizing how our assets and capital are deployed and positioning for future growth. Our employees have delivered amazingly well against challenging goals and have again provided our customers with solid operating performance, despite the significant changes to our fleet during the quarter.”

SkyWest’s total fleet in service decreased by 13 aircraft during the third quarter of 2016 as follows:

skywest-fleet-graph-1

Above Copyright Photo: Alaska SkyWest (SkyWest Airlines) Bombardier CRJ700 (CL-600-2C10) N223AG (msn 10010) LGB (Michael B. Ing). Image: 924092.

SkyWest’s total fleet in service decreased by 14 aircraft from September 30, 2015 to September 30, 2016 as follows:

skywest-fleet-graph-2

During Q3 2016, SkyWest redeployed six CRJ700 aircraft into service under a multi-year agreement with American and redeployed four CRJ700 aircraft into service under a multi-year agreement with Delta.

SkyWest previously operated the combined 10 CRJ700s under an agreement that expired with United. A total of 37 CRJ700 aircraft with scheduled contract expirations with United are scheduled to be redeployed with American by mid-2017, eliminating the related financing tail risk on these aircraft through 2019.

Copyright Photo: American Eagle Airlines (2nd)-SkyWest Airlines Bombardier CRJ200 (CL-600-2B19) N492SW (msn 7168) LAX (Michael B. Ing). Image: 927579.

SkyWest anticipates its CRJ200 fleet and its ERJ145 fleet (“50-Seat Aircraft”) will be reduced by approximately 16 aircraft by the end of 2016 as a result of flying agreement expirations with multiple major partners. During Q3 2016, SkyWest extended the contract term on nine CRJ200s with American from the end of 2016 to the end of Q3 2017.

Under a previously announced lease return arrangement, SkyWest is currently scheduled to return 11 additional CRJ700s over the next six months. If the aircraft are returned as scheduled, SkyWest anticipates largely non-cash termination costs of approximately $15-17 million (pre-tax), which will be recognized as the aircraft are removed from service and processed.

The following table outlines SkyWest’s anticipated delivery schedule for new E175 aircraft through the end of 2017:

skywest-fleet-graph-3

Top Copyright Photo: United Express-SkyWest Airlines Embraer ERJ 170-200LR (ERJ 175) N108SY (msn 17000401) LAX (Michael B. Ing). Image: 930967.

American to add six American Eagle routes

https://airlinersgallery.smugmug.com/Airlines-UnitedStates-1/Airlines-UnitedStates-1/American-Eagle-2nd-Republic-Ai/i-HPdbnNV

American Airlines Group (Dallas/Fort Worth) on April 5, 2016 is adding six new daily American Eagle-branded routes per Airline Route:

Charlotte – Madison (CRJ700s, PSA Airlines)

Chicago (O’Hare) – Norfolk (CRJ700s, Envoy Air)

Chicago (O’Hare) – Providence (CRJ700s, Envoy Air)

New York (LaGuardia) – Kansas City (ERJ 170s, Republic Airlines)

Washington (Reagan National) – Cleveland (CRJ200s, Air Wisconsin)

Washington (Reagan National) – Minneapolis/St. Paul (ERJ 170/175s, Republic Airlines)

Copyright Photo: Jay Selman/AirlinersGallery.com. Republic Airlines’ (2nd) Embraer ERJ 170-200LR (ERJ 175) N115HQ (msn 17000182) departs from the Charlotte hub.

American Eagle-Republic aircraft slide show:

American Eagle to fly the Chicago O’Hare – Albany, NY route

https://airlinersgallery.smugmug.com/Airlines-UnitedStates-1/Airlines-UnitedStates-1/American-Eagle-Envoy/i-BxNWNvq

American Airlines (Dallas/Fort Worth) is adding American Eagle (operated by Envoy Air) Bombardier CRJ700 jet service from the Chicago (O’Hare) hub to Albany, New York starting on March 3, 2016.

In other news, Mesa Airlines will expand American Eagle services from the Phoenix hub to Lubbock, Memphis, Midland/Odessa and Roswell starting on March 3, 2016 per Airline Route.

Copyright Photo: Brian McDonough/AirlinersGallery.com. Envoy Air’s Bombardier CRJ700 (CL-600-2C10) N536EA (msn 10315) arrives in Washington at Reagan National Airport (DCA).

American Airlines aircraft slide show (current livery):

American Eagle-Envoy Air aircraft slide show:

Republic Airways pilots ratify a new three-year contract

Republic Airways Holdings Inc. (Republic Airlines 2nd and Shuttle America) (Indianapolis) has announced that the International Brotherhood of Teamsters’ (IBT) Local 357, which represent the approximately 2,100 pilots of Republic, have voted by a margin of 76% to ratify a new three-year contract, with approximately 85% of the eligible pilots voting.

The three-year agreement becomes effective on or about November 1. The agreement invests approximately $50 million a year on average over the three-year duration of the new agreement, including both the ratification bonus and the anniversary bonus. The new agreement includes significant improvements in work rules and pilot quality of life. Additionally, it establishes pay rates that recognize Republic’s pilots as leaders in the regional airline industry, including a transformational $40/hr first year new hire rate.

Copyright Photo: Tony Storck/AirlinersGallery.com. Embraer ERJ 170-200LR (ERJ 175) N135HQ (msn 17000224) of Republic Airlines operating as an American Eagle carrier arrives at Baltimore-Washington (BWI).

American Eagle-Republic aircraft slide show:

American to add jet service to Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket next summer

American Airlines (Dallas/Fort Worth) starting on June 2 will add daily American Eagle Bombardier CRJ200 jet service (operated by Air Wisconsin) from Washington (Reagan National) to both Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket per Airline Route.

Air Wisconsin (Air Wisconsin Airlines Corporation-AWAC) (formerly US Airways Express) (Appleton, WI) currently operates 71 50-seat Bombardier CRJ200s.

Top Copyright Photo: Bruce Drum/AirlinersGallery.com. Bombardier CRJ200 (CL-600-2B19) N459AW (msn 7863) still in US Airways Express colors departs from the Charlotte hub.

US Airways Express-Air Wisconsin aircraft slide show:

Bottom Photo: Air Wisconsin. The Milwaukee (MKE) maintenance hangar.

Route Map:

Trans States Airlines’ pilots approve a three-year contract extension

Trans States Airlines-TSA (St. Louis) has issued this statement:

Trans States Airlines is pleased to announce that its pilot group has passed a Tentative Agreement on a three year contract extension. The Trans States Airlines pilots are represented by the Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA). The Tentative Agreement, which was unanimously recommended by the ALPA Master Executive Council (MEC) for a rank and file vote, passed with 71% of voting pilots voting in favor of the contract extension. The new contract increases first year pay to $35.81 per flight hour, and includes increases in cost-of-living pay and the pilots’ per diem rate. It also increases the company’s 401(K) contributions and decreases pilots’ health insurance costs.

The new contract will go into effect on October 1, 2015.

Trans States Airlines operates a fleet of Embraer 145 aircraft on behalf of United Airlines (as United Express) and American Airlines (as American Eagle). Trans States is one of the fastest growing regional airlines in the country, with 52 additional Embraer 145 aircraft scheduled for delivery starting in 2015. Trans States expects to serve over 3.6 million passengers in 2015, with approximately 237 daily flights to over 70 cities in North America. Headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, Trans States has crew domiciles in St. Louis (STL), Chicago (ORD), Washington D.C. (IAD) and Denver (DEN). Trans States will open a fifth crew domicile in Raleigh-Durham (RDU) in 2016.

Copyright Photo: Ken Petersen/AirlinersGallery.com. Formerly operating as an AmericanConnection carrier, Trans States now operates some former Envoy Air Embraer ERJ 145s under the American Eagle brand. Trans States Airlines Embraer ERJ 145LR (EMB-145LR) N835HK (msn 145670), originally with TSA, arrives in Raleigh-Durham (RDU).

American Eagle-Trans States aircraft slide show:

American to add three routes from New York LaGuardia, returns to normal operations after computer problems

American Airlines (Dallas/Fort Worth) on January 5, 2016 is adding daily American Eagle Embraer 175 regional jet service from New York (LaGuardia) to Cincinnati and Indianapolis. The carrier is also resuming service from LGA to Minneapolis/St. Paul on the same date per Airline Route.

In other news, AA is inserting the new Airbus A321-200 on the Miami – Guayaquil route starting on June 2, 2016.

Finally American today is returning to normal operations after “computer issues” delayed departures at three hubs yesterday. The airline issued this statement on Twitter:

We’ve resolved connectivity issues that caused challenges at DFW, ORD and MIA. We’re sorry and will have you on your way soon.

Copyright Photo: Brian McDonough/AirlinersGallery.com. Republic Airlines’ (2nd) Embraer ERJ 170-200LR (ERJ 175) N405YX (msn 17000368) approaches the runway at Dulles International Airport.

American Airlines aircraft slide show (current livery):

American Eagle-Republic aircraft slide show:

American to increase Embraer 175 operations from Los Angeles

American Airlines (Dallas/Fort Worth) is assigning more routes to Compass Airlines (Minneapolis/St. Paul) from Los Angeles International Airport. Starting On September 9, Compass will operate its Embraer 175s on American Eagle flights from LAX to Fayetteville (Northwest Arkansas), Fresno, Oklahoma City and Reno.

This will be followed on November 5 with the Los Angeles – El Paso route.

Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing/AirlinersGallery.com. Operated by Compass Airlines, Embraer ERJ 170-200LR (ERJ 175) N202NN (msn 17000467) approaches the runway at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).

American Eagle-Compass aircraft slide show:

https://airlinersgallery.smugmug.com/Airlines-UnitedStates-1/Airlines-UnitedStates-1/American-Eagle-Compass