Mesa Air Group Enters New Agreements with United Airlines for Improved Operating and Financing Terms and Provides Update on CRJ-900 Asset Sale Program

Mesa Air Group, and  United Airlines have agreed to amend its capacity purchase agreement and certain credit agreements between the parties to significantly improve Mesa’s operating income and liquidity over the next twelve months. The Company also issued an update on its efforts to sell excess CRJ-900 assets to reduce debt and bolster liquidity.

United Agreements Highlights:

Increased block-hour rate in United CPA, retroactive to October 1, 2023 through December 31, 2024, projected to generate approximately $63.5 million in incremental revenue over next twelve months

Extinguishment of $12.6 million of outstanding United bridge loan and revolving credit facility debt in exchange for Mesa’s vested equity investment in privately held Heart Aerospace, originally purchased for $5.0 million; Mesa retains 222,222 unvested “penny” warrants1 in Heart

Release as collateral of Mesa’s equity investment in Archer Aviation common stock, comprising 2.27 million vested shares and 1.17 million unvested “penny” warrants1

CRJ-900 Asset Sale Program Update:

Since September 2023, Mesa sold or entered into agreements to sell excess CRJ-900 aircraft and related engines for combined gross proceeds of $198.0 million, which has been and will be used to pay down $174.3 million in debt:

Sold 7 CRJ-900 NextGen aircraft for gross proceeds of $71.2 million

Sold 7 remaining of 11 CRJ-900s previously contracted for sale for gross proceeds of $21.0 million

Entered into agreements to sell 15 CRJ-900 airframes and 65 CF34-8C5 engines to various third parties for total gross proceeds of $105.8 million

Jonathan Ornstein, Chairman and CEO, said, “Following exhaustive negotiations over the past year, we reached several agreements with United that will increase rates per block-hour to long-sought market levels and provide additional liquidity. We believe these new agreements, combined with our CRJ-related asset sales, will enable Mesa to generate substantial incremental contract revenue and improve margins. While the situation remains challenging, this stability is critical as we continue to restore our pilot capabilities, drive increased fleet utilization, and step up block-hour production.

“Without a doubt, the past twelve months concluded a year of restructuring for Mesa’s operations and finances, culminating with the significantly improved agreement with United. We appreciate United’s support, and we are very thankful and proud of our pilots, flight attendants, mechanics, dispatchers, financial personnel, and support staff for their patience and diligent work to facilitate this complex process. I am confident we have the dedicated people to be a strong regional operation for United and for the over six million passengers we safely flew last year.”

1 Exercisable upon certain conditions 

Vaasa Airport celebrates the return of SAS as weekly flights to Stockholm resumed

Scandinavian Airlines has reinstated a flight connection between Vaasa and Stockholm after a break of three years. 

SAS resumed its regular scheduled flights early last week from Vaasa Airport to Stockholm Arlanda Airport. The airline operates three flights a week from Vaasa to Stockholm at the moment and will increase to five weekly flights later. 

“We are very happy that the route from Vaasa to Stockholm has been reopened. The connection between these two Nordic cities is an important part of Finavia airports’ growing route network,” says Petri Vuori , Finavia's Senior Vice President, Sales and Route Development.

The long-awaited first flight was celebrated at Vaasa Airport in sunny weather. In addition to Finavia's representatives, the opening was witnessed by Tomas Häyry, Mayor of Vaasa, and Niko Ek, SAS's Head of Sales Europe, among others.  “Good to be back! SAS has returned to Vaasa after a three-year wait. This is a great day and the welcome has been very warm. The return of the route is truly the result of co-operation. There is a very strong demand for the Vaasa–Stockholm route, and it enables good connections from around the world to Vaasa and from Vaasa to the world,” Niko Ek said in his opening speech.

The Stockholm route provides passengers with a number of smooth connections to Scandinavia and around Europe.

SAS operates the Vaasa–Stockholm connection with its CRJ-900 jet aircraft, which can accommodate 90 passengers. The estimated flight time is 45 minutes.

More CRJ-900s for Mesa Airlines to service American routes

Headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, Mesa Airlines, the regional air carrier providing scheduled passenger service to 104 cities in 39 states, the District of Columbia, and Mexico as well as cargo services out of Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport, has confirmed it will be adding more aircraft to its fleet.

The airline is amending its new Capacity Purchase Agreement with American Airlines, which will see it picking up more flights and increase its fleet by 5 Bombardier CRJ-900 aircraft.

"We appreciate the opportunity to add this additional capacity at the request of American Airlines," said Brad Rich, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. "We remain optimistic about our relationship with American Airlines and are well prepared to respond positively to future opportunities."

Recommended for you...

Bombardier Concludes Sale of the CRJ Series Regional Jet Program to Mitsubishi Heavy Industries

Bombardier confirmed on Monday the closing of the previously announced sale of the CRJ Series aircraft program to Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd for a cash consideration of approximately $550 million, subject to post-closing adjustments and the assumption of liabilities by MHI related to credit and residual value guarantees and lease subsidies amounting to approximately $200 million. Under the agreement, the Corporation’s net beneficial interest in the Regional Aircraft Securitization Program (RASPRO), which is valued at approximately $170 million, has been transferred to MHI.

Through this sale, MHI acquires the maintenance, support, refurbishment, marketing, and sales activities for the CRJ Series aircraft, including the related services and support network located in Montréal, Québec, and Toronto, Ontario, and its service centres located in Bridgeport, West Virginia, and Tucson, Arizona, as well as the type certificates.

Bombardier will continue to supply components and spare parts and will assemble the remaining 15 CRJ aircraft in the backlog as of March 31, 2020 on behalf of MHI until the complete delivery of the current backlog, expected in the second half of 2020.

Bombardier retains certain liabilities representing a portion of the credit and residual value guarantees totalling $288 million as of March 31, 2020. This amount is largely fixed and not subject to future changes in aircraft value and is mainly payable by Bombardier over the next four years.

Recommended for you...

The rise of the revived Uganda Airlines

After a break of almost twenty years, the national carrier of the African nation of Uganda took to the skies earlier this week, to much fanfare and media attention.

Uganda Airlines has risen from the ashes to embark on a mission to carve out a niche on the already crowded African commercial aviation industry that seems to be permanently in a state of flux over the last decade or so.  

The 'new' airline, asks passengers to fly the Crane to the Pearl of Africa on the side of its new state of the art Bombardier CRJ900 aircraft. The Crane not only adorns the tails of the airline's aircraft, it is also the centrepiece of the Ugandan flag, symbolising the forward movement of the country. For many, Uganda is known as the Pearl of Africa for a vast number of reasons, not least because of its beautiful scenery and greenery, its wildlife, greenery and its unique and vibrant culture.

"We undertake to be a world-class airline that will exceed customer expectations through high-quality service," Uganda Airlines CEO Ephraim Bagenda said at a ceremony on Tuesday at Entebbe International Airport, some 40km south of the nation's capital, Kampala, and currently the country's sole international airport.

The immediate plans are for the airline to operate routes to seven key regional destinations in Burundi, Kenya, Tanzania, Somalia and South Sudan Bagenda said prior to the firm's inaugural flight to Nairobi, Kenya.

Delta adds Jacksonville service to expanding Raleigh-Durham network

Delta has more than doubled its service from Raleigh since 2010, adding 20 additional destinations and more than 25,000 weekly seats.

Delta is building on its presence and investment in Raleigh-Durham with new daily nonstop service to Jacksonville, Florida, beginning Sept. 7, 2019.

"As Raleigh's largest airline, Delta is committed to providing our customers in this community options for travel to the business and leisure destinations they value most," said David Stratchko, Delta's Director of Sales - East Region. "This new service to Jacksonville is just the latest in a series of successful recent additions to our network portfolio in Raleigh."

69-seat CRJ-700 and 76-seat CRJ-900

The service will be operated by Delta Connection carriers on 69-seat CRJ-700 and 76-seat CRJ-900 regional jets, which both feature an all-aisle-and-window seating configuration. Every seat has access to Wi-Fi and streaming in-flight entertainment via Delta Studio.

Bombardier deliver the first CRJ900s to Uganda Airlines

 

Tuesday, April 16th was a special day for Bombardier Commercial Aircraft and Uganda National Airlines Company as the Canadian manufacturer handed over two bright shiny new CRJ900 aircraft to the fledgeling airline. 

This was the first two aircraft of four CRJ900 that were ordered during the Farnborough International Airshow in the UK during the summer of 2018. The new airline has selected Bombardier's CRJ900 regional jets fitted with the ATMOSPHÈRE cabin for its upcoming debut, making it the first operator in Africa with this enhanced cabin experience.

The aircraft will be deployed on routes to Goma, Mogadishu, Kigali, Harare, Addis Ababa, Nairobi, Lusaka, Khartoum and Kinshasa. There are also plans to open routes to Johannesburg and Accra.  

The CRJ900 delivery ceremony held on Tuesday at Bombardier’s Mirabel, Québec facility, was attended by executives of both Uganda Airlines and Bombardier Commercial Aircraft as well as several shop floor employees who build the CRJ900 aircraft. “We are thrilled to commence our operations with the world’s leading regional jet, and we look forward to providing the most modern passenger experience in regional aviation to the people of Uganda and across Africa,” said Ephraim Bagenda, CEO, Uganda National Airlines.”

Watch a video of the delivery ceremony here.

“We congratulate Uganda Airlines for taking delivery of their very first CRJ900 jetliner fitted with the ATMOSPHÈRE cabin in a dual-class configuration with 76 seats, including 12 first class seats. The CRJ Series is recognised for its superior economics and efficiency and I am confident that it will be the stepping stone for the development of Uganda’s regional air travel”, said Fred Cromer, President, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft.

The delivery flight will be a long one, with multiple stops along the way. It is scheduled to depart on the 19th from Montreal and then go to Goose Bay for refuelling and then on to Iceland before stopping at Maastricht and Aswan before it flies onto Entebbe where it is scheduled to arrive on 23rd April at around 1500.

The airline also has two Airbus A330's on order from the European planemaker with which it plans to open up long-haul routes. 

(Images Bombardier / Uganda national Airlines)

More you might like....

Chorus aviation orders 9 CRJ900's

Chorus Aviation has agreed with Bombardier for the purchase of nine CRJ900 aircraft for its Jazz airline operating under the Air Canada Express brand. 

"The addition of these new CRJ900 aircraft is a significant step in modernising the Jazz fleet with larger aircraft while supporting the continued growth of our leasing revenue," said Joseph Randell, President and Chief Executive Officer, Chorus.  "The economics of this aircraft will enhance our competitive position and our ability to more effectively respond to the needs of our customer and changing market demand."

These nine 76-seat aircraft will be configured in two classes of service with 12 seats in business class and 64 seats in economy class, including 20 preferred economy seats. The aircraft will be fitted out with Bombardiers Atmosphere cabin and are scheduled for delivery from the first part of 2020. 

Uganda National Airlines orders 4 CRJ900's

Uganda National Airlines Company has ordered four new CRJ900 regional jet from Bombardier Commercial Aircraft its been confirmed today. 

“We congratulate the Government of Uganda for the revival of its national flag carrier, and are thrilled that the new airline has selected Bombardier and the CRJ900 regional jets for its upcoming debut,” said Jean-Paul Boutibou, Vice President, Sales, Middle-East and Africa, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft. “Recognized for its superior economics and efficiency, the CRJ Series aircraft have enabled airlines worldwide to serve communities with better connectivity, and we look forward to supporting the development of Uganda’s regional air travel with these CRJ900 regional jets.”

Uganda Airlines will operate the CRJ900 in dual-class configuration with 76 seats, including 12 first class seats.

“We are delighted to have ordered the world’s leading regional jet, and we look forward to providing the most modern passenger experience in regional aviation to the people of Uganda and across Africa,” said Ephraim Bagenda, CEO, Uganda National Airlines. “As we were establishing Entebbe as a strong hub in East Africa and building more connectivity in Africa, we thoroughly reviewed our needs. With its proven track record in Africa and other regions of the world, we are confident that the CRJ900 aircraft will help us succeed.”

Bombardier exhibit the CRJ Atmosphere cabin at Farnborough

At Farnborough International Air Show the Canadian manufacturer Bombardier, free of the shackles of its CSeries jet that is now rising to new heights under the auspices of Airbus, had to make do with showing off a new cabin for its CRJ aircraft.

Bombardier showcased the new ATMOSPHÈRE cabin alongside launch operator Delta Air Lines and supplier Zodiac Aerospace during the first day of the show. “Our product is evolving, and this signature cabin design represents the latest innovation to our very successful regional jet program. This cabin design will add value to airlines, the feedback has already been very positive as demonstrated with the recent momentum we have gained in the market.” said Fred Cromer, President, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft.

The CRJ900 aircraft with the ATMOSPHÈRE cabin is on display all week and the company will also be exhibiting a Q400 aircraft in the colours of Ethiopian Airlines.  They are also showing off the sweet and powerful Global 6000 business jet. 

Delta orders 20 new CRJ900 Aircraft with Atmosphere cabins

Canadian manufacturer Bombardier and American air carrier Delta Air Lines confirmed yesterday the long-awaited order of 20 CRJ900 aircraft – which makes them the launch operator of the new ATMOSPHÈRE cabin on the CRJ Series regional jets.

Based on the list price for the CRJ900 aircraft, the firm order is valued at approximately $961 million!

“We are thrilled that Delta continues to select the CRJ Series as the airline looks into the future growth of its regional operations,” Fred Cromer, president, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft said of the deal worth US$961 million at list prices. “Together with Delta, we have driven the development of regional aviation in the U.S., and we are looking forward to further enhancing regional air travel with the launch of the new ATMOSPHÈRE cabin with our long-standing and esteemed customer,” he added.

The Trump supporting Delta Air Lines is a long-standing customer of the Bombardier CRJ  and CSeries aircraft and expects to take delivery of the first of the new jets towards the end of this year.

The airline plans to configure the aircraft in a comfortable two-class regional jet configuration with 70 seats featuring the new ATMOSPHÈRE cabin.   This new cabin offering from Bombardier is said to set a new standard of passenger experience in the regional jet market segment. Key features of the new interior are comprised of larger passenger living space, wheel-first roller bag capability, more spacious lavatory, increased cabin connectivity options, all integrated in a contemporary design and material choices. In fact, the ATMOSPHÈRE cabin design allows each passenger to carry and store an “oversized” roller bag within the aircraft cabin bins which minimizes the need to check bags at the counter or the gate.

Bombardier Signs Contract with American Airlines for 15 Firm CRJ900 Aircraft

News in today from Bombardier Commercial Aircraft in Canada, who has just signed a firm order for 15 new CRJ900 regional jets with American Airlines. The new purchase agreement also includes options on an additional 15 CRJ900 aircraft. Which based on the current list prices of the CRJ900 aircraft, the firm order is valued at approximately US$ 719 million.
Upon delivery, American passengers will be able to enjoy some of the latest enhancement to the CRJ Series regional jets – the Atmosphère cabin, which offers an enhanced passenger experience and can accommodate the largest number of “oversized” roller bags of any aircraft in the same category.

Chorus Aviation honoured with Bombardier's top Reliability Awards

Chorus Aviation announced today that its subsidiary, Jazz Aviation LP ('Jazz'), has once again been recognized for achieving superior reliability performance in 2017 at Bombardier's annual award ceremony for commercial aircraft operators held in Orlando, Florida on April 23, 2018.

"We are honoured to be the North American award winner in two categories of exceptional reliability performance," said Colin Copp, President, Jazz. "This recognition can be attributed to the exceptional expertise of Jazz Technical Services and Maintenance and Engineering teams, and their unrivalled experience with Bombardier regional aircraft as an Authorized Service Facility (ASF)."

Jazz is the North American recipient of Bombardier's 2017 Airline Reliability Performance Awards in two categories:

CRJ100/200 aircraft programs for North America

CRJ700/900/1000 aircraft programs for North America

Secret buyer for six CRJ900's

Bombardier Commercial Aircraft announced today that a customer, who has requested to remain unidentified at this time, has signed an order to acquire six CRJ900 aircraft on firm order and options on six additional CRJ900 regional jets.

Based on list price, the firm orders would be valued at approximately $290 million US. Should the customer exercise the six options for CRJ900 aircraft, the contract value would increase to approximately $580 million US.