ExpressJet Airlines is taking a look at their “options for the future” following a severed relationship with United Airlines, though the regional carrier’s trade association says ExpressJet has warned of a “potential phased wind down.” On July 30th, United said it will “consolidate all of our E145 operations into CommutAir, which will then become United’s sole operator of this aircraft type. This transition will take a number of months.” United owns 40% of CommutAir.
“We are very disappointed that United Airlines did not select ExpressJet Airlines to be its future ERJ145 United Express operator,” ExpressJet said in a statement. “We will now explore all options for the future of our company in 2021, while we expect to continue normal operations through the rest of this year.”
“Over the years, our employees have demonstrated the ability to run a high-performance, efficient and nimble airline – one that has on multiple occasions quickly adjusted to the needs of its major airline customer,” Atlanta-based ExpressJet adds.
The Regional Airline Association says ExpressJet warned them of their “potential phased wind down by the end of the year”.
Regional airlines like ExpressJet “remain uniquely vulnerable to service decisions beyond their control”, RAA adds. “For ExpressJet, it may already be too late.”Some regional airlines, but not all, were considered major airlines under the terms of the coronavirus relief package, called the CARES Act. That means they must pay back some of the government funds set aside to fund workers’ salaries, RAA says.
