Paul Lewis/WASHINGTON DC
Mesa Airlines expects to conclude an order shortly for more than 50 large regional jets to expand services with America West, while it eyes other US regional growth opportunities.
The airline is discussing ordering larger regional aircraft for its America West operation beyond the 32 Bombardier CRJ200s it already plans to allocate. It needs 50-60 aircraft from 2001 and plans to make a decision in the "next several months", says Bill Kostel, Mesa vice president planning and marketing.
America West, unlike most major US carriers, is not scope clause constrained and "sees an opportunity for larger aircraft", says Kostel. Mesa is looking at the 70-seat CRJ700 version and stretch 86-seat CRJ900, as well as the competing Embraer ERJ-170. The two latter aircraft would not be available before the end of 2002.
The Phoenix-based carrier says it is in talks with two other, as yet unidentified, potential partner airlines. It wants to dilute its heavy reliance on US Airways, which is discussing merging with United Airlines and currently accounts for approximately 70% of Mesa's turnover.
US Airways recently agreed to increase the number of Embraer ERJ-145s employed by Mesa from 28 to 32. The carrier, however, has ordered 36 and holds options on another 64, some of which it wants to exercise. "We're always looking for opportunities with other airlines and are talking to two right now," says Kostel.
It recently concluded an agreement with Midwest Express to codeshare to 14 of the 15 destinations it already serves from Kansas City on behalf of US Airways. Mesa has also sent a "letter of interest" to Mesaba about a possible tie-up, having spent the last six months acquiring a 3% interest in the Minneapolis/St Paul-based Northwest Airlink partner.
Although it faces competition from Northwest itself, airline insiders say the move could result in Mesa itself finding a role within the Airlink network.
Source: Flight International
