United Airlines has agreed to reimburse the aircraft-lease and flight-crew costs for Atlantic Coast Airlines' (ACA) Bombardier Canadair Regional Jets (CRJ) until the end of the year, giving the carrier more time to reach an agreement with its pilots .
ACA had planned to begin an independent regional-jet service early in September, in the absence of an agreement allowing it to operate its CRJs on United Express routes. Now it has delayed starting the stand-alone Atlantic Coast Jet operation until 8 December, with United picking up the costs of leasing and crewing the four aircraft to be delivered this year, while negotiations continue with its pilots.
ACA is proceeding with plans for the independent regional-jet service. The CRJs are being delivered in ACA Jet livery, and the airline has already flown some charters. ACA has 12 CRJs on order, and 36 options.
Source: Flight International
