PHOENIX--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Mesa Airlines, Inc. today announced the expansion of its agreement with United Airlines to operate three additional Embraer 175 aircraft, bringing the total number of United Express aircraft operated by Mesa to 68. In October, the Company announced an agreement for the addition of 15 new aircraft scheduled for delivery in 2016, which has now increased to 18. Mesa currently operates 30 E175 aircraft and 20 Bombardier CRJ700 aircraft under the United Express brand.
“We are very pleased to expand this agreement with United, adding three more Embraer 175 aircraft for a total of 18 scheduled for delivery in 2016,” said Chairman and CEO Jonathan Ornstein. “Our exceptional track record in terms of both operational efficiency and customer satisfaction has given us the foundation to be the fastest growing domestic airline over the last three years. We thank United for this opportunity.”
Paul Foley, Executive Vice President and COO, added, “This additional growth continues to expand advancement opportunities for the people of Mesa Airlines. These 18 new aircraft provide approximately 90 new captain upgrade positions, 180 new first officer positions, 200 flight attendant new hires, and 120 jobs for mechanics, supervisors, dispatchers, planning and support staff. To learn more and apply for these positions, visit our new website at www.mesa-air.com.”
The E175’s 76-seat dual-class configuration features 12 First-Class, 16 Premium Economy and 48 Coach seats. The aircraft has Inflight Wi-Fi connectivity, leather seating and electric outlets in First Class.
About Mesa Airlines
A multiple-time recipient of Air Transport World’s Regional Airline of the Year Award and ranked No. 1 Regional Airline three consecutive years by the DOT Air Travel Consumer Report, Phoenix-based Mesa Airlines operates as American Eagle from hubs in Phoenix and Dallas/Fort Worth and as United Express from Washington Dulles and Houston. Founded on a mesa in New Mexico in 1982 by Larry and Janie Risley, Mesa currently operates 115 aircraft, with more than 530 daily system departures to 103 cities, 38 states, the District of Columbia, Canada and Mexico. The company has approximately 2,800 employees and plans to hire an additional 1,000 in the next two years. For more information, go to www.mesa-air.com or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/mesaairlines.
