United Airlines will end its contract with ExpressJet, having chosen CommutAir over the larger regional carrier as it seeks to consolidate regional jet flying.
United Airlines Chooses CommutAir, Drops ExpressJet
Earlier this week I wrote about the stakes of United’s decision. With 2019 demand levels now not expected to return until 2024, United will be a smaller carrier for years to come. To appropriately pair supply and demand, United is not only cutting back on mainline flying, but on its United Express flights to smaller cities. For United, it became clear that continuing partnerships between both ExpressJet and CommutAir was unnecessary. Although smaller, CommutAir has a lower cost structure (primary due to less senior pilots) and was favored by analysts to edge out ExpressJet.
Confirming the news, a United spokesperson said:
“We have been communicating for several months that we expect to be a smaller airline in response to the unprecedented impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on our business. In February, we took our first step to simplify our partner landscape and consolidate our E145 flying.
“Today we are taking additional steps to further simplify our operation and right size our capacity for the future. Beginning later this year we 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.”
The Future Of ExpressJet
ExpressJet will continue normal operations through the end of the year while it evaluates its future. With the industry struggling, ExpressJet faces a narrow road to survival. A spokesperson expressed disappointment for the lost contract:
“We are very disappointed that United Airlines did not select ExpressJet Airlines to be its future ERJ145 United Express operator.”
No kidding…
ExpressJet told employees:
“As you may be aware, United made a strategic decision to retain only one ERJ145 United Express operator for 2021. Unfortunately, we have just been told that United intends to go forward with CommutAir as its sole operator of the ERJ145 in 2021.
“In the coming days, we will work with united to develop a workplan for the phased wind-down of operations. The transition will take a number of months, and we’ll be sure to provide updates along the way.”
CONCLUSION
United owns a minority stake in both carriers (it also owns a 49.9% minority stake in ExpressJet’s parent company). Thus, it will lose as well, even if it ends up writing down the loss for ExpressJet. But it is truly a sad day for the pilots, flight attendants, mechanics, and ground staff of ExpressJet. Not only will these pilots now struggle to find new positions, but even if they want to wait it out, maintaining training and certification will be an expensive burden.
United will continue to operate with six regional carriers including Air Wisconsin, CommutAir, GoJet, Mesa Airlines, Republic Airlines, and SkyWest Airlines.
image: United Airlines
It’s a sad day for more than just the pilots. Flight Attendants, Mechanics, etc. all the employee groups have given up a lot of compensation in the past in order to keep this airline viable and now they all face an uncertain future.
You are so correct. I’ve clarifed that in my story.
Hmmmm. That’s odd. I didn’t see that being clarified anywhere in your story. You only mentioned pilots’ jobs.
It’s right in the final paragraph.
Perhaps I am not getting your full story?? In what I am seeing, the final paragraph states (And I copied and pasted):
“United will continue to operate with six regional carriers including Air Wisconsin, CommutAir, GoJet, Mesa Airlines, Republic Airlines, and SkyWest Airlines.”
Where is the clarification or mention of any other jobs?
Sorry, the one above it. Penultimate paragraph.
Much better. Thanks for editing your story. You could have just agreed with @transpoecon however, and left it with that.
I should have included that in the first place. My error!
The safest regional airline with by far the most experienced crews has been eliminated. Do you think United is going to care for people at all during this pandemic if they dumped their best regional over $$. Nothing against the pilots of Commutair, they are amazing but as a company Commutair was on FAA watch and recently had a big runway runoff. Many captains for Expressjet had upwards of 10,000 hours, unheard of in the regionals. United has voted for cheap and less experience. Expressjet was famous for having the best training as well, owning all their E!45 sims. This was a bad move by United.. dumping the 33 year legacy of Expressjet.
i agree 100%. Shows how much United cares for their passengers/customers. Money is king i guess.
I’m happy now United airlines will open international routes this coming September my. Heart filled with joy thank you and God Bless United airlines and all employees God gives you all healthy feelings and good day every day and of course loves Everybody.
Sadly another vestige from Continental’s era has now been thrown into the dumpster bin. This is a bad move. And people ask why this guy from Houston won’t fly United, this is why. United manangement has done nearly everything to throw away what was the true Continental culture that made flying unique. I have practically gone flying exclusively American.
The AC in IAH is great and you even have a Galleries F lounge. IAH is a fantastic city to be a oneworld flyer. Just get used to connecting in DFW and CLT.
I would say Jeff Smisek and his CO takeover crew did that by themselves in the 4 years post-merger…took multiple years for competent leadership to dig out of that hole