Delta Air Lines is in discussions with Midwest Airlines' Milwaukee-based regional arm Skyway Airlines about replacing Atlantic Coast Airlines (ACA) as the operator of Delta Connection's 30 Dornier 328Jets.
Delta's regional feeder contract with ACA ends in October, and Delta is seeking a replacement operator for the 32-seaters. ACA is relaunching as a low-cost carrier - Independence Air - in June initially using Bombardier CRJs and later Airbus A320s. It currently operates the 328Jets from Boston and New York, but the fleet will be relocated to Delta's Cincinnati hub in July ahead of the termination as a replacement operator is sought.
Skyway's main business is flying feeder services for Midwest Airlines under the Midwest Connect banner, using 328Jets and Raytheon Beech 1900Ds.
Skyway president Jim Rankin confirms that it is in discussions with Delta, which he says mark the "first step" towards a plan to change its strategy and operate aircraft for other airlines.
Contractual terms oblige Delta to assume ACA's leases on all 30 328Jets. "Reallocating aircraft bet-ween the north-east and Cincinnati helps us prepare for the transition," says Delta Connection president and chief executive Fred Buttrell.
ACA has participated in the Delta Connection programme since 1999, and began operating as a partner in August 2000. "This decision by Delta will significantly simplify our overall operation and allow us to focus 100% of our management and employee attention on our new Independence Air service," says ACA chief executive Kerry Skeen.
Source: Flight International
