Delta Air Lines (DL, Atlanta Hartsfield Jackson) is considering purchasing up to fifty 70-76 seater regional jets in a bid to overhaul its shorthaul fleet and to add capacity, Bloomberg reports. The carrier estimates the list value of the deal could reach USD2.3 billion. The figure is based on aircraft produced within the desired range by Bombardier Aerospace (BBA, Montréal Trudeau) and Embraer (EMB, São José dos Campos Professor Urbano Ernesto Stumpf).

Delta will first have to secure approval from the pilot union to renew its regional fleet. Under its current labour contract, the union must first approve which aircraft are used by Delta’s lower cost commuter partners operating under the Delta Connection brand before an order can be made. The Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) has objected to adding any 70- to 76-seaters to Delta’s affiliate partners.

Last year, Delta pilots rejected a tentative Collective Labour Agreement (CLA), which was tied in with the carrier’s narrowbody fleet expansion plans. Delta currently has 831 aircraft in active service with orders for a further 274.