Tag Archives: American Eagle

American Eagle to add four regional routes

American Airlines (Dallas/Fort Worth) is adding American Eagle ERJ 145 service (operated by Envoy Air) on the Charlotte – Springfield, Missouri route on November 5. The new route will operate daily according to Airline Route.

Additionally the carrier is also adding three American Eagle routes from New York’s LaGuardia Airport. Akron/Canton and Memphis will be added on November 5 followed by Jacksonville on December 17 per Airline Route.

Copyright Photo: Brian McDonough/AirlinersGallery.com. Envoy Air’s Embraer ERJ 145LR (EMB-145LR) N609DP (msn 145069) arrives at Baltimore/Washington.

American Eagle-Envoy Air aircraft slide show:

Bombardier delivers the first of seven new CRJ900s to Mesa Airlines

Bombardier Commercial Aircraft (Montreal) has announced it has delivered the first of seven CRJ900 aircraft to Mesa Air Group, Inc. of Phoenix, Arizona (Mesa Airlines). Mesa will operate the aircraft for American Airlines under the American Eagle brand. The aircraft delivered is one of a firm order for seven announced on March 12, 2015.

The CRJ900 delivery ceremony held on June 30 at Bombardier’s Mirabel, Québec facility, was attended by executives of both Mesa Airlines and Bombardier Commercial Aircraft.

The aircraft delivered will increase Mesa’s fleet of CRJ900 regional jets to 58, reconfirming the airline’s standing as one of the largest operators of this aircraft model. Mesa’s new CRJ900 aircraft are configured with 76 seats in a dual-class interior. The airline also operates 20 CRJ700 aircraft with 70 seats in a three-class interior. By September 2015, Mesa’s currently scheduled deliveries will bring its regional jet fleet total to 115.

As of March 31, 2015, Bombardier had recorded firm orders for 1,865 CRJ Series aircraft, including 391 CRJ900 aircraft.

American adds four winter “ski routes” from Chicago and Los Angeles

American Airlines (Dallas/Fort Worth) on December 17 will add four winter seasonal routes to popular ski areas. From the Chicago O’Hare hub, AA will add American Eagle service to both Aspen (CRJ700) and Montrose (ERJ 175) in Colorado per Airline Route.

On the the same day, AA will add two routes from the Los Angeles hub to both Jackson (Jackson Hole), Wyoming (A319) and also Montrose, Colorado (ERJ 175).

Copyright Photo: Tony Storck/AirlinersGallery.com. Airbus A319-112 N725UW (msn 1135) arrives at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL).

American Airlines aircraft slide show:

American introduces the Embraer 175 to the Los Angeles market today

American Airlines (Dallas/Fort Worth) today (June 4) is introducing the 76-seat Embraer 175 (ERJ 175) to the Los Angeles market specifically on the Los Angeles – Vancouver route.

The airline issued this statement today:

American Airlines continues to elevate the flying experience for its customers with more comfort and choice by adding the new two-class Embraer 175 (E175) to its twice-daily, nonstop American Eagle service between two of the world’s most important markets for the entertainment industry – Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and Vancouver International Airport (YVR).

Beginning on June 4, 2015, these large 76-seat regional jets will offer customers a more seamless transition between American and American Eagle service, including first-class seating, inflight Wi-Fi and more overhead bin space to accommodate larger carry-on bags.

Compass Airlines (Minneapolis/St. Paul) will operate the E175s on this route.

Photo Above: American Airlines.

The E175 aircraft features a two-class configuration with 12 First Class seats; 20 seats in Main Cabin Extra, offering up to six inches of more leg room; and 44 seats in the Main Cabin. The E175 features Wi-Fi for customers who want to stay connected on their personal devices during flight. Additional modern amenities include leather seating and in-seat power in all cabins. American has firm orders for 60 E175s with options for 90 more and expects 20 of these new E175s to eventually be based out of LAX as new deliveries continue.

Top Copyright Photo: Mark Durbin/AirlinersGallery.com. Operated by Compass Airlines, Embraer ERJ 170-200LR (ERJ 175) N201NN (msn 17000461) taxies at San Francisco International Airport.

American Airlines aircraft slide show (current livery):

Photo Below: American Airlines.

American to end American Eagle service to both Monterey and Santa Fe from Los Angeles

American Airlines (Dallas/Fort Worth) is planning to end American Eagle service from Los Angeles to both Monterey, California and Santa Fe, New Mexico on September 8 per Airline Route. AA is planning to end all service to both stations.

Copyright Photo below: Michael B. Ing/AirlinersGallery.com. Like others, American is also downsizing 50-seat regional jet operations. SkyWest Airlines‘ Bombardier CRJ200 (CL-600-2B19) N492SW (msn 7168) climbs away from Los Angeles International Airport.

American Airlines aircraft slide show (current livery):

American Eagle-SkyWest Airlines aircraft slide show:

AFA union calls on American CEO Doug Parker to “treat all employees equally”

Association of Flight Attendants (AFA) has issued this statement about the recent flight attendant base closures of Envoy Air in Los Angeles, Miami, San Juan and now New York City. Envoy Air has been shrinking in size, both in the number of bases and employees. Here is the full statement by AFA:

Flight Attendant leaders from 18 airlines, representatives of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, AFL-CIO (AFA), unanimously adopted a resolution in support of Envoy Air Flight Attendants. Envoy is a wholly owned subsidiary of the American Airlines Group (AAG). The AFA Flight Attendant leaders from across the aviation industry called on American CEO Doug Parker and Envoy Air President Pedro Fabregas to work with AFA to mitigate the impact of several Flight Attendant base closures on the hard-working Envoy Flight Attendants.

“Closures in Los Angeles, Miami, San Juan, and now New York City have displaced hundreds of Flight Attendants, uprooted them from their families and friends, and without any consideration from the AAG management team,” said Envoy AFA MEC President Robert Barrow. “We’re calling on American CEO Doug Parker and Envoy President Pedro Fabregas to act in the best interest of the airline and its dedicated employees by providing reasonable opportunities for Flight Attendants at Envoy Air.”

AAG is making record setting profits, but yet refuses to honor their frontline employees’ contributions to the success of the Envoy operation. While Doug Parker announced a 4% wage increase for Flight Attendants and other employees working American’s mainline operation, the Flight Attendants serving the same passengers for American Eagle at Envoy have been asked for cuts from their contract.

“At our board meeting last week, we passed a resolution in solidarity with our sisters and brothers at Envoy Air,” said AFA International President Sara Nelson. “With our union’s backing, we’re calling for equal treatment, an option of a Voluntary Separation Package, and that management stop their heavy-handed actions towards employees and their hard-earned collective bargaining rights.”

As the world’s largest Flight Attendant union, AFA supports Flight Attendants, as well as Flight Attendants around the world, in their fight to secure fair and equitable working conditions.

“Mr. Fabregas says he’s working to minimize the impact on Flight Attendants following the base closures, but true leadership would result in making good on that statement in a way that is meaningful to Envoy Air’s first responders – its Flight Attendants,” said Barrow.

Air Wisconsin CRJ200 flight evacuated after passenger’s lithium battery sent smoke into the cabin

Air Wisconsin (American Eagle) (Appleton) flight ZW/AA 4010 from Charlotte to Richmond on Saturday (April 25) with Bombardier CRJ200 (CL-600-2B19) N430AW (msn 7719) was evacuated after landing at Richmond. The 42 passengers and three crew members safely evacuated the regional jet on the taxiway after a lithium battery from one of the passengers sent smoke through the cabin according to NBC Channel 12. The flight attendant used the fire extinguisher to douse out the fire in the hand luggage according to the report.

Read the full report: CLICK HERE

US Airways Express-Air Wisconsin aircraft slide show:

American Airlines to expand Embraer 175 operations and routes

American Airlines (Dallas/Fort Worth) is further expanding its American Eagle Embraer 175 operations, routes and schedules from its Los Angeles, Chicago (O’Hare), Miami and New York (JFK) hubs per Airline Route. The new routes will be operated by its various partner airlines.

From Los Angeles, effective September 9, E175 service will be started to El Paso, Fayetteville (Northwest Arkansas), Oklahoma City, Salt Lake City and San Jose, California. Service to Phoenix starts the following day.

From Chicago (O’Hare), starting on March 29, E175 service will be initiated to Madison and Richmond. This will be expanded on May 7 with new E175 service to Austin and on June 4 to Memphis.

From Miami, starting on May 7, E175 service will be offered from the MIA hub to various domestic and Caribbean routes by Republic Airlines (2nd) (Indianapolis), replacing Embraer ERJ 145 flights operated by Envoy Air (Dallas/Fort Worth). On May 7, the new type will be operated to Charleston, South Carolina, Norfolk and North Eleuthera. Starting on June 4, the E175 will be assigned to the Fort-de-France, Greensboro, La Romana, Marsh Harbour, Memphis and Port-au-Prince routes. Finally on August 19, the E175 will be operated to Providenciales (Provo) in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

From New York (JFK), new Embraer E175 aircraft will be assigned to the Norfolk route starting on May 7 followed by Indianapolis route on June 4.

Copyright Photo: Mark Durbin/AirlinersGallery.com. As planned, Compass Airlines (Minneapolis/St. Paul) started the Los Angeles – San Francisco E175 Shuttle on April 13. Officially certified as the Embraer ERJ 170-200LR (ERJ 175), N201NN (msn 17000461) taxies at San Francisco International Airport (SFO).

American Airlines aircraft slide show (current livery only):

American Eagle-Republic aircraft slide show:

American expands Embraer 175 operations from Los Angeles

American Airlines (Dallas/Fort Worth) is adding four additional Embraer ERJ 175 American Eagle routes from Los Angeles International Airport. Los Angeles – Austin will be started on May 7 along with Los Angeles – San Antonio. Additionally on June 4, the Los Angeles – Edmonton and Los Angeles – Vancouver routes will also be added per Airline Route.

In other news, American Airlines and US Airways hope to receive a single operating certificate (SOC) in early April from the FAA completing the merger process. US Airways meanwhile has started using the “American” call sign, retiring the former “Cactus” (America West) call sign. The end of US Airways is near.

Copyright Photo: Chris Sands/AirlinersGallery.com. Republic Airlines’ “Brickyard 4231” arrives from Jacksonville at Miami International Airport (MIA).

American Airlines aircraft slide show:

American Eagle-Republic Airlines aircraft slide show:

Republic Airways Holdings reports net income of $64.3 million for 2014

Republic Airways Holdings Inc. (Republic Airlines and Shuttle America) (Indianapolis) has reported its financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2014. The company reported net income of $64.3 million for 2014, a significant increase from its net income of $26.7 million in 2013.

As planned, Chautauqua Airlines ended operations on December 31, 2014 and was rolled into Shuttle America as previously reported.

The company issued this report:

Republic’s pre-tax income excluding special items, for the fourth quarter of 2014 was $32.1 million, an 8.4 percent increase over the fourth quarter or 2013. Republic’s adjusted income from continuing operations for the fourth quarter of 2014 was $19.8 million, or $0.39 per diluted share, and its adjusted pre-tax margin was 9.3 percent.

For the full year of 2014, Republic’s pre-tax income, excluding special items, was $120.2 million, a $17.7 million increase over 2013. Republic’s adjusted income from continuing operations for 2014 was $73.4 million, or $1.40 per diluted share, with an adjusted pre-tax margin of 8.7 percent.

On a GAAP basis, including special items, Republic’s fourth quarter 2014 pre-tax loss was $1.4 million, pre-tax margin was -0.4 percent and income from continuing operations was $11.7 million, or $0.23 per diluted share. On a GAAP basis, including special items, Republic’s 2014 pre-tax income was $85.2 million, pre-tax margin was 6.2 percent and income from continuing operations was $64.3 million, or $1.24 per diluted share.

On January 1, 2015, Republic completed its consolidation of all Chautauqua Airlines operations onto the Shuttle America operating certificate. All operating aircraft and related employees are now transferred to Shuttle America’s operation. Republic hopes to sell the remaining Chautauqua Airlines entity and related assets during the first half of 2015.

During the fourth quarter of 2014, Republic extended the service terms of aircraft under its fixed-fee capacity purchase agreements with US Airways, Inc. and Delta Air Lines, Inc. Republic also agreed to operate an additional nine E170 aircraft for Delta Air Lines, Inc.

“We took some significant steps in 2014 in our effort to simplify and streamline our business,” said Republic Airways Holdings Chairman, President and CEO Bryan Bedford. “While this simplification strategy results in near-term transition expenses, such as the fleet impairment charge we took this quarter, the actions that we’ve taken in 2014 and that we intend to take in 2015 are key to the future success of our airline.”

The impairment and other charges in 2014 were due to impairment and other charges on owned E140 aircraft which were abandoned of $19.9 million; owned E190 aircraft which are in the process of being sold of $14.4 million; owned Q400 aircraft which are scheduled to come out of service in the third quarter of 2016 of $13.3 million, and a loss on sale of E190 aircraft of $5.8 million. The 2013 impairment charges of $21.2 million related to owned E190 aircraft and the write-off of maintenance deposits on leased E190 aircraft.

Fleet Highlights

During 2014, our operational fleet decreased from 258 to 244. The company took delivery of 22 E175 aircraft, permanently parked 15 E140 aircraft, temporarily parked 13 E145 aircraft, sold two E190 aircraft and leased three E145 aircraft and three E190 aircraft.

During 2014, we took delivery of 22 E175 aircraft and removed 28 small regional jets.

In December 2014, we completed the sale of two E190 aircraft and executed an agreement to sell three other E190 aircraft. The sale of these five aircraft will leave us with two owned E190 aircraft and three leased E190 aircraft that are expected to be removed from fixed-fee charter service in August of 2015. We expect to return the three leased aircraft to the lessor in 2015 and the remaining two aircraft are under a firm sales agreement.

Balance Sheet and Liquidity

The Company’s total cash balance decreased $55.1 million to $245.6 million as of Dec. 31, 2014, compared to Dec. 31, 2013. Restricted cash decreased $2.3 million, to $21.7 million, from Dec. 31, 2013, due to the escrow requirements under our fixed-fee charter agreements. The Company’s unrestricted cash balance decreased $52.8 million, to $223.9 million, from Dec. 31, 2013, due primarily to equity investments in new aircraft and the redemption of the $22.3 million and $26.5 million convertible notes on April 7, 2014, and Oct. 28, 2014, respectively. The Company also purchased 212,881 shares of its common stock on the open market, during the third quarter of 2014 for total consideration of $2.1 million. A consolidated balance sheet and summary cash flow statement have been included in the tables section of this release.

The Company’s debt increased to $2.34 billion as of Dec. 31, 2014, compared to $2.17 billion at Dec. 31, 2013, primarily related to the financing of 22, new E175 aircraft purchased for our American Airlines fixed-fee agreement. As of Dec. 31, 2014, approximately 98 percent of our debt is at a fixed interest rate. The Company has significant long-term lease obligations for aircraft that are classified as operating leases and are not reflected as liabilities on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet. At a 6 percent discount factor, the present value of these lease obligations was approximately $0.48 billion and $0.59 billion as of Dec. 31, 2014, and Dec. 31, 2013, respectively.

Corporate Information

Republic Airways Holdings Inc., based in Indianapolis, Indiana, is an airline holding company that owns Republic Airlines, Shuttle America and Chautauqua Airlines, collectively “the airlines.” As of Dec. 31, 2014, the airlines operated a combined fleet of about 245 aircraft and offered scheduled passenger service on more than 1,300 flights daily to approximately 100 cities in the U.S., Canada and the Caribbean through fixed-fee flights operated under our major airline partner brands, including American Eagle, Delta Connection, United Express, and US Airways Express. The Company currently employs about 6,500 aviation professionals.

Copyright Photo: Brian McDonough/AirlinersGallery.com. During 2014 Republic took delivery of 22 Embraer E175 aircraft. Republic Airlines’ Embraer ERJ 170-200LR (ERJ 175) N415YX (msn 17000378) arrives in Washington (Reagan National).

American Eagle-Republic Airlines: