Tag Archives: Embraer EMB-145LR

United to start United Express service from Chicago O’Hare to Evansville

United Airlines (Chicago) will add the Chicago (O’Hare) – Evansville, Indiana route starting on June 4.

The Evansville Regional Airport issued this short statement:

Evansville Regional Airport announced that United Airlines will be adding three daily flights from Evansville, IN (EVV) to Chicago, IL (ORD) beginning on June 4, 2015. These flights will be operated with United Express Embraer 145 50-passenger jet aircraft.

Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing/AirlinersGallery.com. Embraer ERJ 145LR (EMB-145LR) N13965 (msn 145215) arrives at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport (ORD).

United Express-ExpressJet aircraft slide show:

SkyWest reports a net loss of $27.9 million in the 4Q, a net loss of $24.2 million for 2014

SkyWest, Inc. (SkyWest Airlines and ExpressJet Airlines) (St. George, Utah) today reported financial and operating results for the quarter ended December 31, 2014.

Highlights are as follows:

Excluding special items, SkyWest’s pre-tax income was $33.5 million for the December 2014 quarter, an increase of $18.4 million over the December 2013 quarter. SkyWest’s net loss, including special items, was $(27.9) million, or $(0.54) per diluted share, for the December 2014 quarter, compared to net income of $8.6 million, or $0.17 per diluted share, for the December 2013 quarter.

The December 2014 quarter includes special item expenses of $70.0 million pre-tax ($43.6 million after-tax) due to the accelerated retirement of SkyWest’s EMB-120 turboprop aircraft and a code-share agreement modification that shortened the contract term for ExpressJet’s operation of the ERJ 145 aircraft type.

SkyWest’s pre-tax income for the December 2014 quarter, excluding special items, increased 122% from the December 2013 quarter, despite a 6.6% reduction in departures and a 4.4% reduction in completed block hours, from the December 2013 quarter. Excluding the special items, the increase in pre-tax income from the December 2013 quarter was primarily due to higher unit revenue from new and renewed flying arrangements at improved rates as described in more detail below.

For the 2014 year, SkyWest’s pre-tax income, excluding special items, was $58.4 million, compared to $98.5 million for the 2013 year. SkyWest’s net loss, including special items, was $(24.2) million, or $(0.47) per diluted share, for the 2014 year, compared to net income of $59.0 million, or $1.12 per diluted share, for the 2013 year.

Significant operational and commercial items related to the December 2014 quarter include:

SkyWest Airlines took delivery of six E175 aircraft during the quarter under its flying contract with United, which resulted in a total of 20 E175 deliveries for calendar 2014.

SkyWest is scheduled to take delivery of the remaining 20 E175s under its United agreement during the first three quarters of 2015.

SkyWest Airlines reached an agreement with Alaska to operate seven new E175 aircraft with deliveries scheduled between the third quarter of 2015 and the first quarter of 2016.

SkyWest Airlines reached an agreement with Delta to operate 12 additional used CRJ200 aircraft that SkyWest Airlines intends to lease from Delta. The aircraft deliveries started in December 2014 and are scheduled to continue through the second quarter of 2015.

SkyWest Airlines started the removal of 43 EMB-120 turboprop aircraft from service and is expected to be an all-jet operator by the conclusion of the second quarter of 2015. As of December 31, 2014, SkyWest owned 18 EMB-120s and leased 25 EMB-120s.

For the second consecutive quarter, ExpressJet’s operational reliability improved year-over-year to a 99.6% adjusted completion rate for the December 2014 quarter compared to 99.1% for the December 2013 quarter.

ExpressJet reached an agreement with American to operate 15 used ERJ 145 aircraft that ExpressJet intends to lease from American. The American ERJ 145 operation is scheduled to begin during the first quarter of 2015.

Commenting on the results, Jerry C. Atkin, SkyWest’s Chairman and CEO said, “SkyWest made significant progress in executing our long-term strategy in the fourth quarter, including reducing the total number of unprofitable aircraft and flying over time. We expect these changes to continue through 2017, as we continue to work with our major airline partners to meet their needs with larger RJ opportunities during that same period. We expect that reducing our total fleet count while improving the overall fleet composition will put us on a path of continued financial and operational improvement.”

Copyright Photo: Tony Storck/AirlinersGallery.com. ExpressJet removed 10 ERJ 145s from its United flying contract during the fourth quarter of 2014 and is returning the aircraft to United. ExpressJet removed a total of 26 ERJ 145s from its United flying contract during the 2014 year. Additionally, 59 ERJ 145s and nine ERJ 135s are scheduled to be removed from service during 2015 and to be returned to United. As of December 31, 2014, ExpressJet had 216 ERJ 145s and nine ERJ 135s operating under the United ERJ contract. ExpressJet Airlines’ Embraer ERJ 145LR (EMB-145LR) N14959 (msn 145091) arrives at Baltimore/Washington.

United Express-ExpressJet Airlines aircraft slide show:

Envoy Air’s pilots vote to ratify the new tentative agreement, Envoy to get 40 new Embraer 175s

Envoy Air (American Eagle) (subsidiary of American Airlines Group) (Dallas/Fort Worth) will continue to grow. The pilots, represented by ALPA, have approved the tentative agreement hatched out between the company management and ALPA (MEC) representing the pilots. Envoy issued this statement today:

Pilots at Envoy Air Inc., an American Airlines Group wholly owned regional carrier, have voted to ratify a Tentative Agreement reached between the carrier and the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA). This agreement was ratified by a vote among Envoy’s more than 2,400 pilots and allows Envoy to now offer all existing and future pilots a direct career progression to American Airlines, the world’s largest mainline carrier. In addition, it provides Envoy with a firm fleet commitment of 40 new fuel-efficient 76-seat Embraer ERJ 175 (E175) aircraft and the opportunity to operate up to 90 more E175s, if American exercises those options.

“We are very pleased our pilots voted to ratify the Tentative Agreement that offers them new, large and modern aircraft to fly and faster career advancement at both Envoy and American Airlines,” said Envoy’s president and CEO, Pedro Fabregas. “This agreement also lays the foundation for Envoy to become a stronger and more successful company for all of our more than 14,000 employees. My sincere thanks to Envoy ALPA and its Master Executive Council (MEC), as well as ALPA president Lee Moak, ALPA executive administrator Tim Canoll and MEC chairman Sam Pool for their hard work and dedication to reach this agreement.”

According to ALPA, Envoy Air pilots completed voting on the proposed changes to the Collective Bargaining Agreement. Of the 91.57% of eligible Envoy pilots who voted, 75% voted to accept these changes.

Copyright Photo: Rob Finlayson/AirlinersGallery.com. The Embraer ERJ 145 fleet is likely to continue to shrink as the larger and newer Embraer ERJ 175s join the Envoy fleet. ERJ 145LR (EMB-145LR) N659AE (msn 145762) arrives at the Miami hub.

American Eagle-Envoy Air aircraft slide show:

http://airlinersgallery.smugmug.com/Airlines-UnitedStates-1/Airlines-UnitedStates-1/American-Eagle-Envoy

American Airlines Group to move 50 Envoy Air Embraer ERJ 145s to other American Eagle carriers

American Airlines Group (Dallas/Fort Worth) has informed subsidiary Envoy Air (formerly American Eagle Airlines) (Dallas/Fort Worth) that will it transfer 50 Embraer ERJ 145s to Piedmont Airlines (2nd) (Salisbury, MD) and Trans States Airlines (30 aircraft) (St. Louis) starting March 2015. One other carrier that has not been specified will also receive Envoy aircraft. The number of pilots at Envoy has been declining. The pilots of Envoy did not accept the last contract offer from the AAG.

Yesterday Sam Pool, Envoy MEC Chairman, sent the following message to the pilots of Envoy:

November 21, 2014

My Fellow Envoy Pilots –

Today management announced the long-anticipated news that AAG is moving aircraft from Envoy to other carriers. Starting in March 2015, 30 of our Embraer 145 series aircraft will transfer to Trans State Airlines and another express carrier at the rate of 2 aircraft per carrier per month. In 2016, another tranche of aircraft will transfer to Piedmont.

While we are clearly disappointed at the thought of losing four aircraft per month, and the 10 pilot jobs each aircraft represents, the harsh fact is that Envoy is currently losing pilots at an even faster rate as our colleagues seek more rewarding careers elsewhere.

We are beyond disappointed that the sacrifice of economic and operational flexibility that this workgroup provided to our parent corporation during the darkest hours of bankruptcy are now considered insufficient and we again find ourselves facing the demands of concessions in exchange for a viable future.

That said, our disappointment should not cloud the reality that we face today. Our reality is that other pilot groups in our segment of the industry have demonstrated their willingness to accept concessions in exchange for new and larger aircraft, and have subsequently agreed to reduce the pilot costs. If we wish to compete in this market, we simply have no choice but to recognize that reality and decide a course of action.

While it is true that AAG is honoring our bankruptcy contract, the unpleasant fact is that they believe that they can obtain lower cost regional flying from other carriers, and have demonstrated that they will award new aircraft and new flying to those other carriers, leaving our contract and our pilots in an awkward status quo.

AAG’s senior management has made it clear that they desire the new aircraft be flown by the pilots of Envoy. And they have also made it clear that they believe we should cost less. For these reasons, they have remained quietly engaged with your MEC in an attempt to effectuate a mutually acceptable agreement that gently nudges our forward looking economics closer to the perceived market in exchange for the enhanced career security sought by our workgroup.

The entire MEC remains committed to working with the company to find an agreement that satisfies the needs of both parties, and which we can endorse as the best path forward. We believe that such an agreement is within reach.

Thank you for your professionalism and patience, and as always don’t hesitate to contact your representatives.

Copyright Photo: Brian McDonough/Airlinersgallery.com. Embraer ERJ 145LR (EMB-145LR) N928AE (msn 14500911) operated by Envoy Air arrives in Baltimore/Washington.

American Eagle-Envoy Air:

http://airlinersgallery.smugmug.com/Airlines-UnitedStates-1/Airlines-UnitedStates-1/American-Eagle-Envoy

United Airlines to start Panama City, Florida-Houston flights on March 5, 2015

United Airlines (Chicago) will start twice-daily United Express service from Panama City, Florida to the Houston (Bush Intercontinental) hub on March 5, 2015 per the Panama City News Herald.

Copyright Photo: Ken Petersen/AirlinersGallery.com. ExpressJet Airlines’ Embraer ERJ 145LR (EMB-145LR) N36915 (msn 145421) departs the runway at New York’s LaGuardia Airport.

United Express-ExpressJet aircraft slide show:

United Airlines (current livery) aircraft slide show:

Envoy Air’s pilots fail to reach an agreement with the American Airlines Group

Envoy Air’s (American Eagle) (Dallas/Fort Worth) pilots, represented by the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), failed to reach a new agreement with the American Airlines Group (Dallas/Fort Worth) for a new contract. The group had approached the union about reopening discussions on a new contract. Discussions broke down on August 21. According to the union in a message to its members by Bill Sprague, “The effort began with informal discussions to identify and attempt to resolve the areas of the failed TA that were unacceptable to our group. We focused on finding solutions to guarantee that the company would re-fleet our carrier while respecting the value we provide as professionals. Identifying the core issues was easy. Finding mutually acceptable solutions was extremely difficult. The MEC met three times and spent countless hours on conference calls to eventually arrive at a proposal that satisfied those requirements.

On Wednesday, company executives rejected that proposal. Their stated intent is to continue seeking lower feed costs at other Fee for Departure carriers, as they did with Compass.”

The union chairman continued, “The state of our current daily operation shows an inability to attract a sufficient number of recruits, but it also shows that many Envoy pilots are moving onwards and upwards in their aviation careers. In their efforts to operate an airline of our size while lacking the necessary tools to safely do so, the company has found many ways to violate the current collective bargaining agreement. The MEC and leadership are dedicated to protecting and defending the contract. Our contract remains in place. We will enforce it and continue to pursue every opportunity to improve it.

The pilots of Envoy have made it clear: now is time to make this airline an attractive place to work and that responsibility falls squarely on the shoulders of upper management. This action is essential to ensure the long-term success of our company.”

Envoy Air currently operates more than the 220 aircraft on about 1,300 daily flights to more than 170 destinations in the U.S., Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean. The company’s more than 14,000 employees provide regional flight service to American Airlines under the American Eagle brand and livery as well as ground handling services for approximately 15 airlines, including American.

Envoy Air is headquartered in North Texas with hubs in New York, Chicago, Miami, Dallas/Fort Worth and Los Angeles. The company was founded in 1998 as American Eagle Airlines, Inc. following the merger of several smaller regional carriers to create one the largest regional airlines in the world. On April 15, 2014 the company changed its name to Envoy Air to distinguish the company for the American Eagle brand, under which several carriers operate regional flight service for American.

American Airlines Group is likely to continue to assign new aircraft to other American Eagle carriers as Envoy Air reduces in size unless the two parties resolve their differences.

Copyright Photo: Brian McDonough/AirlinersGallery.com. Embraer ERJ 145LR (EMB-145LR) N668HH (msn 145785) prepares to touch down at Baltimore/Washington (BWI).

American Eagle-Envoy:

United to connect the oil patch of Williston, North Dakota to Houston starting on August 19

United Airlines (Chicago) will start nonstop United Express service from its Houston (Bush Intercontinental) to the oil patch area at Williston in the western part of North Dakota starting on August 19. The new route will be operated by ExpressJet Airlines (Atlanta) and was announced by Senator John Hoeven of North Dakota. ExpressJet already flies the Williston-Denver route for United Airlines (see the map below).

Read the full report from The Republic: CLICK HERE

Additionally, United will also commence nonstop United Express service from its Denver hub to Lafayette, Indiana also starting on August 19 per Airline Route.

The carrier will start daily nonstop Houston (Bush Intercontinental)-Hartford/Springfield Embraer 175 flights starting on October 15.

Copyright Photo: Jay Selman/AirlinersGallery.com. United Express Embraer ERJ 145LR (EMB-145LR) N16559 (msn 145603) operated by ExpressJet Airlines prepares to land in Charlotte.

United Airlines (current):

United Express-ExpressJet:

United Express-ExpressJet Route Map:

Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport today opens 10 new gates for American Eagle in Terminal B

Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) today unveiled a total of ten new gates and a new concourse extension at Terminal B. The new gates, B30-B39 (see map below), will be used to serve American Eagle regional jet flights. The concourse and new gates are part of DFW’s ongoing Terminal Renewal and Improvement Program (TRIP), a multi-year, $2.3 billion capital improvement program to redefine the Airport’s four original terminals which first opened in 1974.

“These new gates give DFW Airport additional capacity for hosting flights in Terminal B, and a beautiful new space for customers to enjoy as they await their flights,” said Sean Donohue, CEO of DFW Airport. “We’ve also added some very nice customer touches in the new concourse, including a comfort zone seating area, charging stations, and of course, our fast and free WiFi.”

The new concourse at Terminal B offers an additional 20,000 square feet of gate space for customers. The entrance to the new concourse is adjacent to a Skylink people mover station for fast and efficient connections to any gate at DFW. The new concourse construction replaced one gate at Terminal B, for an overall net gain of nine gates to DFW.

With the addition of the ten gates in the new concourse at Terminal B, DFW now has a total of 164 gates across its five terminals. It is the first new terminal concourse to open at DFW since the grand opening of Terminal D in July of 2005.

TRIP is redefining DFW Airport for the next generation of air travel customers, with all new glass, floors and finishes, along with updated technology and renewed infrastructure. Under TRIP, renovation work continues in other parts of Terminal B, as well as in Terminals A and E.

Copyright Photo: Brian Peters/AirlinersGallery.com. Envoy Air’s Embraer ERJ 145LR (EMB-145LR) N928AE (msn 14500911) leaves the terminal at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW).

American Eagle-Envoy Air:

Terminal B Map:

American Eagle to add three new routes from JFK

American Eagle Airlines Embraer ERJ 145LR (EMB-145LR) N610AE (msn 145073) (In support of all who serve) BWI (Tony Storck), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.

American Eagle Airlines (Dallas/Fort Worth) announced daily nonstop service between New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and three new destinations – Norfolk International Airport (ORF), Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG), and Indianapolis International Airport (IND), beginning on November 18. Eagle will operate the service with 50-seat Embraer ERJ 145 regional jets.

Copyright Photo: Tony Storck. ERJ 145LR (EMB-145LR) N610AE (msn 145073) with the special “In support of all who serve” markings prepares to land at Baltimore/Washington.