Tag Archives: ExpressJet Airlines

ManaAir, LLC, completes the acquisition of ExpressJet Airlines

ManaAir, LLC, on January 22, 2019 announced the successful completion of its acquisition of ExpressJet Airlines. ExpressJet flies for United Airlines as a United Express carrier.

In 2019, ExpressJet will grow its fleet with 25 new dual-class Embraer E175 aircraft. The first delivery is scheduled for April.

In other news, ExpressJet Airlines today announced that it is increasing its pilot sign-on bonus to $22,000. Pilots with an eligible type rating will receive an additional $5,000. The increase makes ExpressJet pilots some of the most highly compensated among regional airline pilots.

ExpressJet plans to hire more than 600 pilots in 2019 as it adds 25 new Embraer E175 aircraft to its fleet and exercises options to grow its existing fleet of Embraer ERJ145 aircraft. Pilots who sign on with ExpressJet can expect an immediate class date and to complete training and begin flying within approximately three months.

The United Career Path Program allows ExpressJet pilots to secure a career with United while flying for ExpressJet. Since November 2016, over 250 ExpressJet pilots have progressed to United through the program.

ExpressJet hosts new-hire pilot training classes twice per month. After applying, pilots can be placed in class within as little as four business days.

All images by the airline.

Route Map:

SkyWest, Inc. enters into an agreement to sell ExpressJet Airlines

SkyWest, Inc. today announced that it is has entered into definitive agreements to sell ExpressJet Airlines, Inc. to ManaAir, LLC, a company in which United Airlines owns a minority interest.

The transaction is expected to close in early 2019, subject to customary closing conditions.

Consideration for the transaction includes approximately $70 million in cash for the majority of the assets and the assumption of liabilities of ExpressJet, subject to a working capital adjustment. The ExpressJet assets excluded from the transaction will be utilized or liquidated by SkyWest. The expected realizable value to SkyWest of the remaining inventory is estimated to approximate the value of the working capital adjustment. SkyWest will retain ownership of the CRJ aircraft currently in service at ExpressJet.

The transaction also includes certain protections around existing SkyWest Airlines flying, as well as priority position to add 25 new dual-cabin aircraft with United should those opportunities arise.

As part of the transaction, SkyWest has also agreed to lease 20 CRJ200s to ExpressJet for up to five years.

ExpressJet Airlines, Inc. operates a fleet of Bombardier and Embraer regional jet aircraft to more than 110 destinations in the U.S., Canada and Mexico.

ExpressJet has nearly 70 years of flying history and was formed through multiple airline mergers and transformations that occurred during that time. Today, ExpressJet is headquartered in Atlanta and operates as American Eagle and United Express.

Starting in early 2019, ExpressJet will begin flying exclusively as United Express, with flight operations centered out of Houston, Chicago, Cleveland and Newark. ExpressJet currently flies the Bombardier CRJ200, CRJ700 and Embraer ERJ145 for United Express.

ExpressJet Fact Sheet

Crew domiciles

Chicago (ORD); Cleveland (CLE); Dallas (DFW); Houston (IAH); Knoxville (TYS); Newark (EWR)

Maintenance bases (including line stations)

Baton Rouge, La. (BTR); Chicago (ORD); Cleveland (CLE); Houston (IAH); Knoxville, Tenn. (TYS); Newark, N.J. (EWR); Richmond, Va. (RIC)

Airports currently served

111 airports in 36 U.S. states, District of Columbia, Canada and Mexico

Employees

3,000 (active)

Average number of daily scheduled departures

System: 493

Mainline Partners

American Airlines (ExpressJet operating as American Eagle)
United Airlines (ExpressJet operating as United Express)

Passengers carried in 2017

15.5 million

Total revenue passenger miles flown in 2017

7.6 billion

Total aircraft in operating fleet

126 Bombardier and Embraer Jet Aircraft

Aircraft

(11) 65-passenger Bombardier CRJ700 regional jets
(10) 50-passenger Bombardier CRJ200 regional jets
(105) 50-passenger Embraer ERJ145 regional jets

Our Values

Our core values guide us as we work to achieve our vision:

Putting safety first in everything we do.
Treating people with dignity and respect.
Operating with honesty, integrity and transparency in everything we do.
Working smart with commitment to continuous self improvement.
Taking pride in making sure the job is done right.

Top Copyright Photo: United Express-ExpressJet Airlines Embraer ERJ 145LR (EMB-145LR) N13949 (msn 145057) DCA (Brian McDonough). Image: 906356.

United Express-ExpressJet aircraft slide show:

Route Map: Routes flown for United Airlines:

ExpressJet’s pilots approve a new contract, will fly Embraer 175s for United in 2019

Express Jet Airlines’ (Atlanta) pilots have approved a new labor contract. The pilots are represented by ALPA.

The new contract applies to United Express pilots, but it is contingent on United Airlines assigning at least 20 additional Embraer 175s to ExpressJet by January 2019.

The compensation details:

Crew bases and United Express routes:

All images by ExpressJet.

American to end its relationship with ExpressJet and Trans States in 2019

American Airlines Group will not renew its American Eagle contracts with both ExpressJet Airlines and Trans States Airlines when they expire in 2019 according to a report by Bloomberg. This will drop the number of American Eagle carriers to seven.

Trans States Airlines, which also flies for United Airlines, has been moving closer to Frontier Airlines. On April 18, 2018 it made this announcement:

Trans States Airlines pilots now have a direct pathway to the Frontier Airlines flight deck. An agreement inked by the two airlines guarantees participating Trans States pilots a First Officer position with the Denver-based Airbus operator after as little as two years of service with Trans States.

The agreement comes on the heels of a major order announcement by Frontier in November of 2017, in which it announced its intent to triple the airline’s fleet size over the next 10 years growing the airline’s order book to nearly 200 aircraft.

“Given Frontier’s considerable order book, imminent growth and financial stability, we believe that this new flow program will be immensely popular with our pilots,” remarked Trans States Chief Operating Officer, Fred Oxley. “A guaranteed pathway that allows for quick progression to a major carrier of Frontier’s caliber will be a huge asset to Trans States’ pilot recruiting efforts.”

“Additionally, judging by the popularity of our growing Denver crew base with our crews, we expect Frontier’s significant presence in Denver to be very attractive to our pilot group,” added Lee Stelzner, Chief Pilot at Trans States.

“With forecasted retirements, it’s no secret that the demand for highly qualified pilots will grow over the next several years,” says Frontier Chief Operating Officer Jim Nides. “This new partnership helps address our future pilot staffing needs while providing pilots entering the workforce a certainty for their careers.”

Current Trans States pilots with the requisite time in service will be eligible to apply for this program immediately, while new Trans States pilots may apply as soon as they have completed training.

Copyright Photo: American Eagle-Trans States Airlines Embraer ERJ 145LR (EMB-145LR) N618AE (msn 145097) JFK (Fred Freketic). Image: 930440.

American Eagle-Trans States aircraft slide show:

Route Map:

United to add Newark – Presque Isle service

United Airlines will add Newark – Presque Isle, ME service in July. Starting on July 1, 2018, ExpressJet Airlines will operate daily United Express service. The new route will be operated with Embraer ERJ 145 regional jets according to Airline Route.

Copyright Photo: United Express-ExpressJet Airlines Embraer ERJ 145LR (EMB-145LR) N13956 (msn 145078) IAD (Brian McDonough). Image: 908396.

United Express-Expressjet aircraft slide show:

United is looking closely at ExpressJet Airlines

According to Reuters, United Continental Holdings, Inc. (United Airlines) is considering acquiring an ownership stake in ExpressJet Airlines in order to improve its supply of pilots. Negotiations are reportedly continuing with owner SkyWest. United does not own a regional carrier outright, unlike its competitors.

ExpressJet operates as an United Express carrier. However it also operates for American and is winding down its relationship with Delta.

Previously on August 9, 2017, ExpressJet Airlines, a wholly-owned subsidiary of SkyWest, Inc., announced the initiation of its defined long-term strategy:

Long-term agreement secured with United Airlines. As part of this plan, ExpressJet has secured a new, five-year extension of its United Airlines ERJ 145 contract, effective January 1, 2018 through December 31, 2022. The agreement enhances ExpressJet’s United partnership and provides long-term stability to its model. It also provides ExpressJet pilots with continued access to United’s Career Pathway Program. Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
Early termination of Delta CPA. Additionally, ExpressJet and Delta Air Lines mutually agreed to initiate the wind-down of its remaining dual-class flying agreement under the Delta Connection brand, allowing ExpressJet opportunities to place aircraft with other partners. The agreement, which includes 28 CRJ900s and 33 CRJ700s, was previously scheduled to expire beginning in 2019. The aircraft financed by Delta, including all CRJ900s, will be returned to Delta beginning in fourth quarter 2017; ExpressJet expects to transition other aircraft previously operated under its Delta agreement to other major partners throughout 2018.
Agreement with American for eight additional CRJ700s. As part of this realignment, ExpressJet has secured an agreement with American Airlines to transition eight additional CRJ700s to its American Eagle operation. That transition is expected to take place during second quarter 2018.

Copyright Photo: United Express-ExpressJet Airlines Embraer ERJ 145LR (EMB-145LR) N36915 (msn 145421) LGA (Ken Petersen). Image: 924301.

Delta to drop all service to Killeen-Fort Hood, Texas

Delta Air Lines is planning to drop Delta Connection service to Killeen/Fort Hood, TX on January 16, 2018. Delta connects the airport with the Atlanta hub, operated by ExpressJet Airlines.

Copyright Photo: Delta Connection-ExpressJet Airlines Bombardier CRJ900 (CL-600-2D24) N138EV (msn 15235) ATL (Jay Selman). Image: 403370.

ExpressJet Airlines is phasing out its last Bombardier CRJ200s

ExpressJet Airlines, a wholly-owned subsidiary of SkyWest, Inc., this month is operating its last Canadair (Bombardier) CRJ200 revenue flights.

As previously reported on December 23, 2016, ExpressJet expected to transition to flying primarily dual-class aircraft in its CRJ operation by removing its Bombardier CRJ200 aircraft from service over the next year.

The company has been gradually retiring the CRJ200 fleet. Some aircraft have been transferred to partner SkyWest Airlines and all others are now in storage. Some aircraft were relocated to Oklahoma City, OK.

The retirement of the ExpressJet CRJ200 fleet was stepped up this month. N854AS is operating today but it is expected to join the others soon in retirement, probably after the Thanksgiving holiday weekend.

Copyright Photo: Delta Connection-ExpressJet Airlines Bombardier CRJ200 (CL-600-2B19) N923EV (msn 7826) ATL (Jay Selman). Image: 403333.

ExpressJet expands its relationship with United and American, drops Delta

ExpressJet Airlines, a wholly-owned subsidiary of SkyWest, Inc. has announced the initiation of a clearly defined long-term strategy:

 Long-term agreement secured with United Airlines. As part of this plan, ExpressJet has secured a new, five-year extension of its United Airlines ERJ 145 contract, effective January 1, 2018 through Dec. 31, 2022. The new agreement enhances ExpressJet’s United partnership and provides long-term stability to its model. It also provides ExpressJet pilots with continued access to United’s Career Pathway Program. Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
 Early termination of Delta CPA. Additionally, ExpressJet and Delta Air Lines mutually agreed to initiate the wind-down of its remaining dual-class flying agreement under the Delta Connection brand, allowing ExpressJet opportunities to place aircraft with other partners. The agreement, which includes 28 CRJ900s and 33 CRJ700s, was previously scheduled to expire beginning in 2019. The aircraft financed by Delta, including all CRJ900s, will be returned to Delta beginning in fourth quarter 2017; ExpressJet expects to transition other aircraft previously operated under its Delta agreement to other major partners throughout 2018.
 Agreement with American for eight additional CRJ700s. As part of this realignment, ExpressJet has secured an agreement with American Airlines to transition eight additional CRJ700s to its American Eagle operation. That transition is expected to take place during second quarter 2018.

Copyright Photo: Delta Connection-ExpressJet Airlines Bombardier CRJ900 (CL-600-2D24) N307PQ (msn 15307) ATL (Jay Selman). Image: 403371.

SkyWest’s ExpressJet to retire its CRJ200 fleet over the next year

SkyWest, Inc. has announced additional fleet transitions and contract updates designed to reduce SkyWest’s long-term fleet risk and enhance its ability to respond to changing partner needs.

Specifically, SkyWest’s ExpressJet operation expects to transition to flying primarily dual-class aircraft in its CRJ operation by removing its Bombardier CRJ200 aircraft from service over the next year.

The removal of the CRJ200 aircraft reduces ExpressJet’s future required investment in its 50-seat fleet and is expected to improve the airline’s operating efficiency by eliminating an aircraft type from its platform.

SkyWest also announced ExpressJet and American Airlines have agreed to place 12 dual-class CRJ700s into service under a multi-year term. These CRJ700s had been scheduled to be removed from service under a previously-disclosed early lease return arrangement.

Additionally, SkyWest and Bombardier entered into a termination agreement covering Bombardier’s residual value guarantee (“RVG”) agreements on 76 CRJ200 aircraft owned by SkyWest Airlines and ExpressJet. Bombardier agreed to pay SkyWest $90 million by January 2017 along with certain other consideration in exchange for the release. Both the required sale of each aircraft and the cost to SkyWest of returning the aircraft to mid-time condition were points of risk and uncertainty for SkyWest that this termination agreement eliminates.

As a result of the expectation to remove ExpressJet CRJ200s from service and the Bombardier RVG termination agreement, SkyWest is evaluating its total 50-seat CRJ200 fleet and related long-lived assets for impairment in Q4 2016. SkyWest currently anticipates it will record a non-cash impairment charge in Q4 2016 estimated to be in the range of $440 million to $490 million (pre-tax) on its CRJ200 aircraft and other 50-seat aircraft assets, net of the $90 million in cash proceeds from the Bombardier termination agreement.

Copyright Photo: Delta Connection-ExpressJet Airlines Bombardier CRJ200 (CL-600-2B19) N923EV (msn 7826) ATL (Jay Selman). Image: 403333.

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