SkyWest Airlines (OO, Salt Lake City) has agreed with United Airlines (UA, Chicago O'Hare) to add twenty-five more E175s for United Express operations. The regional capacity provider said the jets will be transferred from another unspecified airline, which has now been confirmed to be ExpressJet Airlines (Atlanta Hartsfield Jackson).
"These aircraft are scheduled to be placed into service ratably over a 12-month period beginning in the second quarter of 2020 through the first quarter of 2021. The aircraft are financed by United," SkyWest said in a press release.
According to the ch-aviation fleets module, SkyWest currently operates 156 E175s, of which 65 are operated for United, 32 for Alaska Airlines (AS, Seattle Tacoma International), and 59 for Delta Air Lines (DL, Atlanta Hartsfield Jackson).
For its part, United Express' fleet includes 178 E175s. The aircraft are currently operated by SkyWest (65 jets), ExpressJet Airlines (25), Mesa Airlines (60), and Republic Airways (28). ExpressJet Airlines said in a separate press release that it plans to phase-out E175s to focus on E145 operations.
"Today [February 24], we announced we are finalizing a multi-year extension of our Capacity Purchase Agreement (CPA) with United," ExpressJet CEO Subodh Karnik said in a company email.
"Additionally, we will be acquiring thirty-six ERJ145s over the next 12 months that are currently being operated by another airline. This will make us the world's largest operator of ERJ145 aircraft."
"An additional component of this agreement involves United transitioning our E175 aircraft off of our certificate and transferring them to another United Express carrier. We are incredibly grateful to the entire team for your work, making our E175 program such a success this past year."
