Jump to content

Mesa Airlines: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous editNext edit →
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
Line 70: Line 70:
=== Mesa Airlines ===
=== Mesa Airlines ===
[[File:Mesa Airlines Beech 1300 Silagi-1.jpg|thumb|A Beech King Air in [[cheatline|livery]] colors of Mesa Air Lines]]
[[File:Mesa Airlines Beech 1300 Silagi-1.jpg|thumb|A Beech King Air in [[cheatline|livery]] colors of Mesa Air Lines]]
The original Mesa Air Shuttle was a flight division of JB Aviation in [[Farmington, New Mexico|Farmington]], [[New Mexico]] and operated a single route from Farmington to Albuquerque using a [[Piper Saratoga]] aircraft. In 1981 as the original [[Frontier Airlines (1950-1986)]] was discontinuing its flights between the two cities, Mesa obtained a twin engine [[Piper Navajo]] Chieftain and increased service on the route. In 1982 the original owners sold the company to Larry and Janie Risley. The Risley's quickly expanded the carrier by acquiring a fleet of [[Beechcraft 99]]'s and adding service throughout New Mexico and surrounding states with a hub at Albuquerque. In 1985 larger 19-passenger [[Beechcraft 1900]]'s were acquired which replaced the Beech 99's and became the backbone of Mesa's fleet. By 1987 up to 47 daily departures were operating from Albuquerque to 18 cities. Also in 1987 a Denver hub was created when Mesa acquired Centennial Airlines which operated several routes from Denver into [[Wyoming]]. After an initial route from Farmington and Gallup to Phoenix began in 1985, Phoenix was expanded into a hub in 1989 with new routes throughout Arizona. In 1990, most Denver flights were incorporated into the [[United Express]] division which Mesa had acquired from Aspen Airways. In 1992, when Mesa established a code share with [[America West Airlines]], its Phoenix hub was turned over to the America West Express division. A minor hub was also operated at Farmington in the late 1980s with up to 22 daily flights connecting Albuquerque, Phoenix, and Salt Lake City to Durango, Cortez, and Telluride, CO.<ref>Mesa Airlines timetables</ref> For a brief time in 1995 and 1996, the Mesa Airlines operation at Albuquerque, the United Express operation in Denver, and the America West Express operation in Phoenix were all known as operated by Mountain West Airlines. In 1997 and 1998, routes from Little Rock to Nashville and Wichita and from Nashville to Tupelo were added, first as Mesa Airlines, then later as US Airways Express.
The original Mesa Air Shuttle was a flight division of JB Aviation in [[Farmington, New Mexico|Farmington]], [[New Mexico]] and operated a single route from Farmington to Albuquerque using a [[Piper Saratoga]] aircraft. In 1981 as the original [[Frontier Airlines (1950-1986)]] was discontinuing its flights between the two cities, Mesa obtained a twin engine [[Piper Navajo]] Chieftain and increased service on the route. In 1982 the original owners sold the company to Larry and Janie Risley. The Risley's quickly expanded the carrier by acquiring a fleet of [[Beechcraft 99]] commuter turboprops and adding service throughout New Mexico and surrounding states with a hub at Albuquerque. In 1985 larger 19-passenger [[Beechcraft 1900]]'s were acquired which replaced the Beech 99's and became the backbone of Mesa's fleet. By 1987 up to 47 daily departures were operating from Albuquerque to 18 cities. Also in 1987 a Denver hub was created when Mesa acquired Centennial Airlines which operated several routes from Denver into [[Wyoming]]. After an initial route from Farmington and Gallup to Phoenix began in 1985, Phoenix was expanded into a hub in 1989 with new routes throughout Arizona. In 1990, most Denver flights were incorporated into the [[United Express]] division which Mesa had acquired from Aspen Airways. In 1992, when Mesa established a code share with [[America West Airlines]], its Phoenix hub was turned over to the America West Express division. A minor hub was also operated at Farmington in the late 1980s with up to 22 daily flights connecting Albuquerque, Phoenix, and Salt Lake City to Durango, Cortez, and Telluride, CO.<ref>Mesa Airlines timetables</ref> For a brief time in 1995 and 1996, the Mesa Airlines operation at Albuquerque, the United Express operation in Denver, and the America West Express operation in Phoenix were all known as operated by Mountain West Airlines. In 1997 and 1998, routes from Little Rock to Nashville and Wichita and from Nashville to Tupelo were added, first as Mesa Airlines, then later as US Airways Express.


In 1997, Mesa established a small hub at [[Fort Worth Meacham International Airport]], using two [[Bombardier Inc.|Bombardier]] (formerly [[Canadair]]) [[CRJ200]] regional jet aircraft, providing service from [[Fort Worth, Texas|Fort Worth]] to [[San Antonio, Texas|San Antonio]], [[Austin, Texas|Austin]], and [[William P. Hobby Airport|Houston Hobby]], as well as new routes from [[Colorado Springs, Colorado|Colorado Springs]] to [[Nashville International Airport|Nashville]] and [[San Antonio, Texas|San Antonio]]. The venture was short-lived and these routes were all eliminated during corporate restructuring. The [[Albuquerque, New Mexico|Albuquerque]] hub was merged into Air Midwest in 2001 but operated as a code share for Mesa Airlines until the hub was dissolved at the end of 2007.<ref>American Express Skyguide</ref>
In 1997, Mesa established a small hub at [[Fort Worth Meacham International Airport]], using two [[Bombardier Inc.|Bombardier]] (formerly [[Canadair]]) [[CRJ200]] regional jet aircraft, providing service from [[Fort Worth, Texas|Fort Worth]] to [[San Antonio, Texas|San Antonio]], [[Austin, Texas|Austin]], and [[William P. Hobby Airport|Houston Hobby]], as well as new routes from [[Colorado Springs, Colorado|Colorado Springs]] to [[Nashville International Airport|Nashville]] and [[San Antonio, Texas|San Antonio]]. The venture was short-lived and these routes were all eliminated during corporate restructuring. The [[Albuquerque, New Mexico|Albuquerque]] hub was merged into Air Midwest in 2001 but operated as a code share for Mesa Airlines until the hub was dissolved at the end of 2007.<ref>American Express Skyguide</ref>

Revision as of 19:38, 14 June 2018

Mesa Airlines
IATA ICAO Call sign
YV ASH AIR SHUTTLE
Founded1980[1]
Commenced operationsOctober 12, 1980[1]
HubsAs American Eagle

As United Express:

AllianceStar Alliance (United)
Oneworld (American)
Fleet size145
Destinations200
Parent companyMesa Air Group, Inc.
HeadquartersPhoenix, Arizona, USA
Key peopleJonathan G. Ornstein (CEO)
Employees+4,500
Websitehttp://www.mesa-air.com

Mesa Airlines, Inc. is an American regional airline based in Phoenix, Arizona. It is a FAA Part 121-certificated air carrier operating under air carrier certificate number MASA036A issued on June 29, 1979. It is a subsidiary of Mesa Air Group and operates flights as American Eagle and United Express via respective code sharing agreements with American Airlines and United Airlines. It serves more than 180 markets in the Western Hemisphere. Mesa's safety record was noted as having the fewest incidents among domestic regional airlines in the Journal of Air Transportation.[2] Mesa filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in January 2010, hoping to shed financial obligations for leases on airplanes it no longer needed. In March 2011, Mesa emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The time Mesa spent in bankruptcy was one of the shortest periods in aviation history.

Operations

Mesa Airlines operates as:[3]

Former airline divisions

  • Air Midwest (1991-2008)
  • CalPac (California Pacific) (1993–1995)
  • Desert Sun Airlines (1995–1996)
  • FloridaGulf Airlines (1991–1997)
  • Go! (2005-2014)
  • Liberty Express Airlines (1994–1997)
  • Mountain West Airlines (1995–1996)
  • Skyway Airlines (1989–1994)
  • Superior Airlines (1994–1995)

History

See also: Mesa Air Group § History

Mesa began operations as Mesa Air Shuttle in Farmington, New Mexico, in 1980. From 1989 through 1998, Mesa Airlines operated as a conglomeration of up to eight separate airlines. For the history of the acquisition and expansion of Mesa Airlines during this time see Mesa Air Group. The following history section details the history of the individual airlines that comprised Mesa Airlines during this time frame.

Mesa Airlines

A Beech King Air in livery colors of Mesa Air Lines

The original Mesa Air Shuttle was a flight division of JB Aviation in Farmington, New Mexico and operated a single route from Farmington to Albuquerque using a Piper Saratoga aircraft. In 1981 as the original Frontier Airlines (1950-1986) was discontinuing its flights between the two cities, Mesa obtained a twin engine Piper Navajo Chieftain and increased service on the route. In 1982 the original owners sold the company to Larry and Janie Risley. The Risley's quickly expanded the carrier by acquiring a fleet of Beechcraft 99 commuter turboprops and adding service throughout New Mexico and surrounding states with a hub at Albuquerque. In 1985 larger 19-passenger Beechcraft 1900's were acquired which replaced the Beech 99's and became the backbone of Mesa's fleet. By 1987 up to 47 daily departures were operating from Albuquerque to 18 cities. Also in 1987 a Denver hub was created when Mesa acquired Centennial Airlines which operated several routes from Denver into Wyoming. After an initial route from Farmington and Gallup to Phoenix began in 1985, Phoenix was expanded into a hub in 1989 with new routes throughout Arizona. In 1990, most Denver flights were incorporated into the United Express division which Mesa had acquired from Aspen Airways. In 1992, when Mesa established a code share with America West Airlines, its Phoenix hub was turned over to the America West Express division. A minor hub was also operated at Farmington in the late 1980s with up to 22 daily flights connecting Albuquerque, Phoenix, and Salt Lake City to Durango, Cortez, and Telluride, CO.[4] For a brief time in 1995 and 1996, the Mesa Airlines operation at Albuquerque, the United Express operation in Denver, and the America West Express operation in Phoenix were all known as operated by Mountain West Airlines. In 1997 and 1998, routes from Little Rock to Nashville and Wichita and from Nashville to Tupelo were added, first as Mesa Airlines, then later as US Airways Express.

In 1997, Mesa established a small hub at Fort Worth Meacham International Airport, using two Bombardier (formerly Canadair) CRJ200 regional jet aircraft, providing service from Fort Worth to San Antonio, Austin, and Houston Hobby, as well as new routes from Colorado Springs to Nashville and San Antonio. The venture was short-lived and these routes were all eliminated during corporate restructuring. The Albuquerque hub was merged into Air Midwest in 2001 but operated as a code share for Mesa Airlines until the hub was dissolved at the end of 2007.[5]

In 1998, Mesa moved its headquarters from Farmington, NM to Phoenix, AZ.[6]

America West Express

Main article: America West Express
Desert Sun Airways d/b/a America West Express Fokker 70

In September 1992, Mesa negotiated a code sharing agreement with America West Airlines to operate as America West Express out of its Phoenix hub, serving 12 cities. These routes were originally from the independent Mesa operation and several Beech 1900D aircraft were painted in the America West Airlines scheme. The code share allowed increased frequency and increased load factors and expansion into several new markets.

In 1995, Mesa created a new subdivision called Desert Sun Airlines and acquired a pair of Fokker 70 jets for use on new America West Express routes from Phoenix to Des Moines and Spokane. Desert Sun was merged into the Mesa Airlines division in 1997 and its Fokker 70 aircraft were replaced by Canadair CRJ-200 regional jet aircraft. The CRJ-200 aircraft also began replacing the Beechcraft 1900D and Embraer EMB-120 Brasilia turboprops. The BE-1900Ds were then transitioned over to Mesa's Air Midwest subsidiary. Beginning in December 1997, Mesa began operating de Havilland Canada DHC-8 Dash 8 series 200 aircraft between Phoenix and Grand Junction followed by many other cities throughout Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, and California. In 2003, Mesa Airlines took over the operations of Freedom Airlines and Freedom Airlines' Canadair CRJ-900 regional jets were transferred into the America West Express operation. The Beech 1900 flights operated by Air Midwest were discontinued on May 30, 2008.

Bombardier CRJ900 operating for America West Express

On September 16, 2005, America West Airlines and US Airways completed their merger. Although the corporate side and operationally, those companies merged, as of May 2008, the two flight operations have not been merged and Mesa continues to code share with the new US Airways Group as US Airways Express under its America West Express code share agreement. It operated CRJ200 and CRJ900 aircraft from hubs in Charlotte and Phoenix, and Dash 8 aircraft from its Phoenix hub until late 2011, when during Mesa's restructuring in bankruptcy, coinciding with United's cancelation of any further CRJ 200 service by Mesa, the CRJ 200's and Dash 8's were removed from service. By early 2012, the only airframe Mesa uses for the "west" side of US Airways out of its Phoenix hub and the "East" side out of its Charlotte hub is with the CRJ 900. [citation needed]

US Airways Express

Main article: US Airways Express
Bombardier CRJ900 operating for US Airways Express

In November 1997, Mesa negotiated a code share agreement to provide service to US Airways as US Airways Express for 14 regional jets to various cities from its Philadelphia and Charlotte hubs. In 1998 and 2000, the agreement was expanded to 28 jets and then to 52 jets. The first CRJ200 aircraft began operating in 1998. As Mesa began taking deliveries of the Embraer ERJ 145 aircraft in 2000, the CRJs were transferred to the America West division, separating the fleet types.

In 2003, 20 CRJ200 aircraft were reintroduced to the US Airways Express division. With the reintroduction of the CRJ, the CRJ200 aircraft operated out of the Philadelphia hub, and the ERJ-145 aircraft operated out of the Charlotte hub.

In 2005, Mesa's code share agreement with US Airways was not reaffirmed in bankruptcy court, and Mesa began transitioning the aircraft to other code shares. Twenty-six ERJ aircraft were transitioned to Freedom Airlines, and the CRJ and remaining ERJs were transferred to Mesa's United Express operation. [citation needed] However, following the America West Airlines merger later that year, the Mesa contract for America West Express was retained and expanded to include non-former America West Express routes. All US Airways Express flying was converted to American Eagle on October 17, 2015 when the merger between American and US Airways was completed.

American Eagle

Main article: American Eagle (airline brand)

As the merger process between American Airlines and US Airways was progressing, Mesa Airlines began operating as American Eagle on November 6, 2014 with routes out of the American Airlines hubs at Dallas/Fort Worth and Los Angeles using CRJ-900 aircraft. US Airways Express routes from Charlotte and Phoenix were gradually shifted to American Eagle until the transition and merger was completed on October 17, 2015.

United Express

Main article: United Express
Bombardier CRJ700 operating for United Express

In 1990, Mesa acquired Aspen Airways Denver hub and routes, except for Aspen's Denver to Aspen route. It attempted to acquire Aspen's code share with United, however United was unwilling to code share with an airline that only operated 19-seat turboprops. Mesa leased Embraer EMB 120 Brasilia aircraft from its former competitor in New Mexico, Air Midwest. With the Brasilias in hand, Mesa gained a code share with United for its Denver hub. Several Beech 1300 and Beech 1900 aircraft were repainted with the United Airlines scheme.

In 1995, California Pacific and its Los Angeles hub was merged into Mesa's United Express operation. After the closing of Superior Airlines' Columbus hub, its aircraft and crews were used to expand United Express into Portland and Seattle. In 1997, operational difficulties with the Denver hub and disagreements over the renewal of Mesa's WestAir subsidiary code share with United resulted in the cancellation of Mesa's code share.

In 2003, Mesa agreed to a service agreement with United for service out of their hubs at Chicago-O'Hare, Denver, and Washington-Dulles under the United Express banner. In October 2009 United decided to exercise its early termination option for the Dash 8 flying. The Dash 8 flying ended on April 30, 2010.[7] Around the same time, United decided not to extend its CRJ200 operation and as a result, all of the Mesa CRJ200s (26 aircraft) flying under United Express were phased out by April 30, 2010.[8] As of 2015, Mesa's United Express operations consisted of Embraer 175 flying out of the Houston hub and CRJ-700 flying out of the Washington Dulles hub.

Skyway Airlines

Main article: Skyway Airlines

The Skyway Airlines division was Mesa's first foray into the Midwest. Skyway was formed in 1989 when Mesa established a code share agreement with Midwest Express and a Milwaukee hub. From Milwaukee, Mesa served 25 cities in nine states in the upper Midwest region, using Beechcraft 1900 aircraft. Upon expiration of the code share in 1994, it was not renewed. Midwest Express kept the Skyway Airlines name and routes, forming Astral Airways to fill the void as Mesa ceased service in Milwaukee. Mesa reallocated the aircraft and crews to start Superior Airlines in its Columbus hub for America West Express. [citation needed]

FloridaGulf Airlines

The FloridaGulf Airlines division was formed in 1991 after Mesa's acquisition of Air Midwest. Air Midwest's CEO, Robert Priddy, was chosen to start up the operation. It operated under a code share agreement with USAir and was a USAir Express carrier. It started with a Tampa hub, providing service to Florida and the southeast United States using Beechcraft 1900 aircraft. Additional hubs in Orlando and New Orleans were established. In 1993, the airline expanded into the Northeast, with a hub in Boston and eventually Philadelphia. In 1994, six Embraer EMB 120 aircraft were added. By the time it was merged into Air Midwest, in 1997, it was operating 44 Beechcraft 1900 and 9 Embraer EMB 120 aircraft serving 49 destinations. [citation needed]

Superior Airlines

After Midwest Express notified Mesa they would not be renewing the contract to operate their Skyway Airlines division, Mesa allocated the aircraft and crews to form Superior Airlines in 1994. Superior initially competed against their former Midwest Express partner as America West Express and also provided service from the new America West Columbus hub. Superior operated America West Express flights to compete against their former partner from Milwaukee to Flint, Lansing, Columbus, Grand Rapids, Indianapolis, Des Moines and Cedar Rapids, as well as from Rockford to Detroit. Within 18 months Mesa redirected Superior and its Beech 1900 fleet to focus exclusively on the Columbus hub. By 2000 the aircraft and crews, which consisted of CRJ200s (CL-65s), were being operated by Mesa Airlines itself. America West Airlines closed its Columbus hub in 2003 and Mesa again reallocated the assets this time to its newly reacquired United Express operation.

CalPac (California Pacific)

Mesa created CalPac (California Pacific) in 1993, establishing a United Express carrier with a Los Angeles hub. It utilized Beechcraft 1900 and Embraer EMB 120 aircraft to serve 12 destinations. In 1995, the airline division was merged into Mesa's United Express operation.

Liberty Express Airlines

In 1994, Mesa acquired Pittsburgh-based Crown Airways. Using the acquired assets, Mesa established Liberty Express with its hub in Pittsburgh and a code share with US Airways. In 1997, it was merged into Air Midwest, operating 14 Beechcraft 1900 aircraft serving 17 destinations.

Desert Sun Airlines

The Desert Sun Airlines division was created in 1995 to inaugurate Mesa's first jet service utilizing Fokker 70 aircraft. It operated as America West Express from a Phoenix hub. The first two cities to receive jet service were Spokane and Des Moines. In 1996, the division was merged into Mesa's America West Express operation, and the Fokker 70 aircraft were replaced by Bombardier CRJ aircraft as they were introduced. There was also a previous Desert Sun Airlines that operated scheduled passenger commuter service in southern California during the mid 1980s with Beechcraft 99 turboprops and Piper Chieftain prop aircraft.[9]

go!

Main article: Go! (airline)
Bombardier CRJ200 operating for go!

In 2006, Mesa formed go! in the Hawaiian Islands, using 5 Bombardier CRJ aircraft from its Honolulu hub. It established a code share with Mokulele Airlines, which served airports that cannot accept jet aircraft and provide point-to-point service in between the islands with Cessna Caravan turboprops. The codeshare with Mokulele was later replaced by one with Island Air, which was itself later replaced by a joint venture with Mokulele dubbed go! Mokulele. The airline ceased operations in Hawaii on April 1, 2014.[10]

Mesa's go! was involved in multiple lawsuits with Hawaiian Airlines and Aloha Airlines and was also investigated by the Federal Aviation Administration for an incident on February 13, 2008 where both pilots fell asleep during a regularly scheduled 36-minute flight between Honolulu and Hilo. go!'s flight 1002 overshot Hilo Airport by 15 miles (24 km), remaining 21,000 feet (6,400 m) in the air as they missed the destination. Air traffic controllers were unable to reach the two pilots for 25 minutes, after which contact was re-established and the aircraft returned for a safe landing in Hilo.[11][12]

Mesa's go! was also blamed for the March 31, 2008 shutdown of Aloha Airlines due to "predatory fares".[13]

Kunpeng Airlines

Kunpeng Airlines was formed as a joint venture between Mesa Airlines and Shenzhen Airlines of China. They began flying in October 2007 with 3 Bombardier CRJ200 aircraft and currently have 5 in China. The airline originally expected to operate 20 CRJ's prior to the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing and plan to expand at a rate of 20 aircraft per year for the next 5 years. All pilots would have been based in Beijing or Xian and the airline initially was to fly to 16 regional airports. Mesa intended to replace the outgoing CRJ200s with larger regional jets such as the CRJ700 and CRJ900. Kunpeng has recently decided to delay delivery of CRJ200 in favor of brand new Embraer E-190. All of the Mesa aircraft are being returned.

Furthermore, as of June 2009, Mesa no longer has a financial interest in Kunpeng Airlines, as Shenzhen Airlines purchased Mesa's interest in the original joint venture.

Crew bases

  • Dallas/Fort Worth (CRJ-900) – American Eagle
  • Houston-Intercontinental (EMB-175) - United Express
  • Phoenix (CRJ-900)&(CRJ-200) – American Eagle
  • Washington-Dulles (CRJ-700) – United Express

Fleet

As of January 2018, the Mesa Airlines fleet consists of the following aircraft:[14]

Aircraft Total Orders Passengers Operated For Notes
F E+ E Total
Bombardier CRJ200 1 — 0 0 50 50
—
 Operated as a Mesa Airlines aircraft
Bombardier CRJ700 20 — 6 16 48 70 United Express
Bombardier CRJ900 64 — 9 — 70 79 American Eagle
9 — 67 76
12 — 67 79
Embraer 175 60 — 12 16 48 76 United Express Deliveries began Jun 2014
Total 145 0  

In March 2013, Mesa Airlines announced the leasing of nine Bombardier CRJ900s, which were previously operated by Uruguay's Pluna, for operations at US Airways. The aircraft entered the US Airways Express fleet between April and July 2013 and will operate under an eight-year capacity purchase agreement through 2021.[15]

In September 2013, Mesa Airlines announced an agreement with United Airlines which extends the operation of 20 CRJ700s through 2020. The agreement includes an order of 30 United-owned Embraer ERJ-175s that will be operated under contract by Mesa Airlines. Mesa Airlines later announced an agreement with United Airlines to add 18 Embraer 175 aircraft to Mesa's United Express fleet. Mesa will operate 48 Embraer aircraft for United Airlines.In October, the Company announced an agreement for the addition of 15 new aircraft scheduled for delivery in 2016, which has now increased to 18. Mesa currently operates 54 E175 aircraft and 20 Bombardier CRJ700 aircraft under the United Express brand .[16]

Historical Fleet - Jet

Historical Fleet - Turboprop

Historical Fleet - Piston

  • Piper Saratoga - first aircraft type operated by the airline as Mesa Air Shuttle between Farmington, NM and Albuquerque in 1980
  • Piper Chieftain - second aircraft operated from 1981 through 1983. Briefly operated from Farmington to Denver, Durango, and Grand Junction, CO and to Vernal, UT[18]

Destinations

Mesa's destinations as an independent carrier in the southwest (1980-2007) include the following:[19]

Controversies

Flight attendants

Bag tags handed to flight attendants in 2016

In February 2012[20] the contract between flight attendants and Mesa Airlines expired and became eligible for negotiation between the Association of Flight Attendants (AFA) and Mesa.

Flight attendants have been at the core of Mesa's operations since its agreements were reached with US Airways and their United Express operation were reached and for years before. Throughout the years many of them became frustrated with stagnant wages and non-competitive retention offerings leading to its current contract negotiations which began in 2012.[citation needed]

After bankruptcy

Negotiations had stalled several times in the years following 2012 in mediation and talks directly with the company after the company had only offered negligible[clarification needed] pay increases, unaffordable[clarification needed] health insurance, and significantly fewer incentives for flight attendants with longevity compared to other regional airlines.

In January 2017, contract negotiations in front of the National Mediation Board again came to a halt. The Association of Flight Attendants (AFA), after over five years of failed negotiations, announced that the members of the union would be coming together for a strike vote[21] in order to either accelerate negotiations or begin using the AFA's patented[citation needed] method of striking – CHAOS[22] – in order to interrupt operations with both American Airlines and United Airlines in anticipation that the two legacy carriers will place pressure on Mesa to offer livable wages and individual benefits comparable to other airlines.

On March 29, 2017, the AFA released a statement saying that esa Airlines Flight Attendants voted "Yes" to a strike vote overwhelmingly by a vote of 99.56%,[23] the highest "yes" vote in at least 20 years for the AFA, and potentially in the history of the union since its founding in 1945.

In response Mesa Airlines CEO Jonathan Ornstein stated "We're going to continue to negotiate on good faith and come to an agreement that the company can afford", and that (It) "takes reasonableness on both parties." [24]

Heather Stevenson, union president for Mesa, said "We're out of options" as well as "Five years of 'Please' and 'Thank you' and 'Could you do better?' hasn't done anything." She also stated "...management can choose a different outcome by seriously negotiating a contract. Mesa Airlines is an important partner in the highly-profitable American Airlines and United Airlines networks."[25]

"Mesa Flight Attendants will not accept poverty wages", said Sara Nelson, international president of the AFA-CWA. "Enough is enough. Mesa Flight Attendants have the full backing of the 50,000 members of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA. We are ready to do whatever it takes to achieve a fair contract."[25]

Mesa Airlines and the AFA returned to the bargaining table during the week of April 3, 2017. While the strike vote had the intended effect, the company still offered a negligible[clarification needed] pay increase that would keep flight attendants to what they have calculated as "Industry Average".[26] However that number was only if both parties ignore all other regional competitors financial compensation that handle the same volume as Mesa.

An informational protest were carried out by members of the AFA who are not employees of Mesa on April 25, 2017, in Chicago, Dallas, and Phoenix to educate the public about the union's concerns such as low wages, poor health insurance, no progress being made on the contract negotiations, as well as other actions of the company, and gain attention from American and United.[27]

The AFA and Mesa Airlines met again during June 13–15 and again did not reach a resolution.[28] The union stated "it soon became apparent the Company was not prepared to reach a deal and saw no point in bargaining until after they knew the outcome of the pilots' vote which will be counted on July 12."

The AFA and Mesa Airlines reached a Tentative Agreement on August 14 and included these changes:

  • Wage scale exceeding the average for Flight Attendants doing regional flights for United and American.
  • Increased per diem.
  • Block or better.
  • Line guarantee and increased minimum guarantee.
  • Long layover credit.
  • 200% junior assignment pay.
  • PBS on trial basis, strong language.
  • Increased vacation for longevity.
  • Improved commuter clause.
  • "Me too" with pilot 401k.
  • Increased deadhead pay.
  • Jetbridge trades.
  • Paid KCM.
  • Four year duration with continued wage increases beyond the amendable date.

Pilots

On March 2, 2017, the Air Line Pilots Association, International union representing all of Mesa Airlines pilots filed a lawsuit after wages had stagnated and ceased to increase in any amount for almost ten years and the company had allegedly bypassed the Railway Labor Act by implementing bonus and incentive programs without reaching an agreement beforehand with the ALPA.[29]

The goal of the pilots is similar to the at-the-time objective of the flight attendants, which is to be paid a standard and comparable wage to other regional airlines that can substantiate necessities such as food and shelter.[30]

Incidents

On June 29, 1990, flight 22, a Cessna 208 Caravan en route from El Paso, Texas, to Ruidoso, New Mexico, lost engine power and landed on New Mexico State Road 220 about four miles short of the Sierra Blanca Regional Airport. There were no injuries and the only visible damage was to the sheet metal on the right wingtip.[31]

On October 16, 2001, an EMB 145 was on final approach to Roanoke, Virginia. The captain had briefed a "no go-around" for a night visual approach to a "Special Airport".[32] The approach was not stabilized, and the airspeed decreased to the point of a stall. The airplane struck the runway in a nose high pitch attitude, the aft fuselage struck the runway first then settled on the landing gear. The first officer made initial call-outs of slow airspeed and then stopped when the captain failed to respond to her callouts. After landing, the airplane was taxied to the gate where a post-flight inspection limited to the main landing gear did not find the damage to the tail section. The incident was not reported by either pilot to the company and the airplane was allowed to be flown by the next crew the following morning on its scheduled service back to Charlotte, North Carolina, where a post flight inspection revealed the tail strike. When interviewed, the captain first denied having been involved in a hard landing and speculated that the tail strike must have been the result of an over rotation on takeoff from the morning crew. When faced with the CVR and FDR data, she eventually admitted to the incident. She reported that she briefed "no go-around" because no takeoffs were authorized on the runway at night or in IMC conditions; however, the first officer knew this was incorrect, but did not challenge the captain. Both pilots had received CRM training, which included crew member assertiveness, methods of fostering crew input, and situational awareness, and training on special use airports; however it was not followed by either pilot. The captain said the first officer was passive and quiet. The first officer reported the captain was defensive and did not take criticism very well. It is remarkable that the damage to the tail section was not discovered during the preflight visual inspection performed by the morning flight or ground crews. The aircraft had an MELed APU and needed the engines to be started with the assistance of an external air cart. The connection for the air cart is located at the aft bottom fuselage section where the damages were visible. The access panel was bent. Yet the ground crew did not notify the flight deck crew. When the walk-around visual inspection was performed by the morning crew's first officer, it was performed during the hours of darkness with the help of a flashlight. The air cart was already connected and forced the first officer to walk around the cart and away from the aircraft, missing the tail strike damages.[33] Both crews were terminated from employment; however, the first officer of the accident flight and the captain of the morning flight were eventually reinstated with help of their union (ALPA). The accident captain was able to recover her certificates and privileges but was not reinstated. The first officer from the morning crew died from illness prior to being reinstated.

On February 13, 2008, the pilots of a go! CRJ200 fell asleep and overshot their destination airport by 26 nautical miles (48 km; 30 mi) before air traffic control was able to make contact with the aircraft.[34] The incident happened on the third consecutive day during which the pilots had been required to start duty at 0540 am. The captain suffered from an undiagnosed severe sleep apnea. The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident as follows: "The captain and first officer inadvertently falling asleep during the cruise phase of flight. Contributing to the incident were the captain's undiagnosed obstructive sleep apnea and the flight crew's recent work schedules, which included several consecutive days of early-morning start times."[35]

On September 29, 2015 American Airlines Flight 5786 which was operated by Mesa Airlines under the American Eagle Brand encountered a wing strike during landing on a day with calm winds. The plane landed and taxied to the gate without further incident. No injuries were reported.[36]

Notes

  1. ^ a b Norwood, Tom; Wegg, John (2002). North American Airlines Handbook (3rd ed.). Sandpoint, ID: Airways International. ISBN 0-9653993-8-9. Archived from the original on November 28, 2016. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  2. ^ Wilson, M.; P. Anne (1997). "Safety Concerns of Startup Airlines". Journal of Air Transportation World Wide. 2 (1).
  3. ^ "Investor Relations Home". Mesa Air Group. Retrieved on January 30, 2009.
  4. ^ Mesa Airlines timetables
  5. ^ American Express Skyguide
  6. ^ World Airline Directory. Flight International. March 25–31, 1998. 80.
  7. ^ "Mesa Announces Termination of Turboprop Aircraft Service". Reuters. October 29, 2009. Archived from the original on November 2, 2009. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  8. ^ [1][dead link]
  9. ^ http://www.airliners.net, photos of Desert Sun Airlines Beechcraft C99 and Piper Chieftain aircraft at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
  10. ^ "Go! airlines to stop Hawaii operations on April 1". Honolulu Star-Advertiser. March 17, 2014. Retrieved March 18, 2014.
  11. ^ Daysog, Rick (February 19, 2008). "FAA probing whether go! pilots fell asleep on flight". Honolulu Advertiser.
  12. ^ "Airline fires 2 pilots who overshot Hawaii runway". CNN. Associated Press. April 24, 2008. Archived from the original on April 29, 2008. Retrieved April 25, 2008. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  13. ^ "Aloha Airlines to stop flying Monday night; CEO calls it 'an incredibly dark day'". Pacific Business News. March 30, 2008. Retrieved April 13, 2012.
  14. ^ "Mesa Airlines Fleet". ch-aviation.com. ch-aviation. Retrieved July 6, 2015.
  15. ^ "Mesa to use ex-Pluna CRJ900s for US Airways operation". March 4, 2013. Retrieved August 18, 2013.
  16. ^ "Mesa to Operate Embraer 175 Aircraft and Extends CRJ 700 Agreement for United Express". September 13, 2013. Retrieved January 26, 2014.
  17. ^ "AIRCRAFT MODIFICATIONS - CommuterAir". commuterair.com. Retrieved November 28, 2016.
  18. ^ Mesa timetables during 1981
  19. ^ Mesa Airlines Timetables
  20. ^ "Mesa Airlines Flight Attendants File For Mediation". AFACWA.org. Retrieved May 7, 2017.
  21. ^ "Mesa Airlines Flight Attendants Will Vote on Strike". AFACWA.org. Retrieved May 7, 2017.
  22. ^ "CHAOS™ FAQ". UnitedAFA.org. Retrieved May 7, 2017.
  23. ^ "Mesa Airlines Flight Attendants Authorize Strike". Our Contract - Association of Flight Attendants-CWA. Retrieved May 7, 2017.
  24. ^ "Mesa flight attendants turn up heat with strike vote". HoustonChronicle.com. Retrieved May 7, 2017.
  25. ^ a b "Mesa Airlines Flight Attendants Vote 99.56% to Authorize Strike - SavvyStews.com". SavvyStews.com. Retrieved May 7, 2017.
  26. ^ "Flight Attendant Union Protests Mesa Airlines Headquarters in Phoenix". afacwa.org. Retrieved March 23, 2018.
  27. ^ "Flight Attendants Protest American Eagle and United Express Carrier Mesa Airlines". AFACWA.org. Retrieved May 7, 2017.
  28. ^ "Mesa Update - June 15, 2017". afanewsletters.org. Retrieved March 23, 2018.
  29. ^ "Mesa Airlines Pilots Sue Company over Railway Labor Act Violations". AviationTribune.com. Retrieved May 7, 2017.
  30. ^ Glassdoor https://www.glassdoor.com/Salary/Mesa-Air-Pilot-Salaries-E1642_D_KO9,14.htm. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  31. ^ Albuquerque Journal 1990 (date unknown)
  32. ^ "Special Airport" (PDF). Aeroplanner.com. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 7, 2011. Retrieved May 8, 2017. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  33. ^ [2][dead link]
  34. ^ "Report: Mesa CRJ2 near Hilo on Feb 13th 2008, veered off course 26nm, both pilots asleep". www.AVHerald.com. Retrieved May 8, 2017.
  35. ^ [3] Archived January 19, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
  36. ^ "Plane spotter catches moment when wing of landing regional jet scrapes runway". USAToday.com. Retrieved May 7, 2017.

References

  • Graham, Rex (03-01-1987). "And the Winner Is ...". New Mexico Business Journal. 11 (3): 17. {{cite journal}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  • various (various). "Mesa Airlines Company Reports 1991–1993". The Investext Group. {{cite journal}}: |format= requires |url= (help); Check date values in: |date= (help); Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  • Mesa Air Group (various). "1995–2005 Annual Reports". {{cite journal}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Mesa_Airlines&oldid=845882627"