ExpressJet will be putting 10 of its Embraer ERJ-145 aircraft into service with United Airlines.
Kristy Nicholas, ExpressJet Director of Communications, reported in an interview that the airline will start flying for United at the beginning of June. “There will be 10 aircraft dedicated to the operation during that time and they will fly primarily out of the Washington/Dulles and Chicago/O’Hare hubs.”
The flying will be done under an ACMI lease (Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance, and Insurance), so it’s effectively the same as the “cost plus” flying that has traditionally been done by regional airlines for their Major Airline partners. The aircraft ExpressJet will use are used in ExpressJet’s charter division, since the rest of their aircraft are flying for Continental. The summer has historically been a slow period for ExpressJet’s charter business.
United spokeswoman Megan McCarthy said, “United signed a contract with ExpressJet Airlines to provide 10 Embraer ERJ145 aircraft for peak demand summer flying. ExpressJet approached United with the opportunity to operate flights with extremely competitive costs for flying we would not be able to provide for our customers otherwise.”
It is a beneficial arrangement for both airlines. United receives quality service during peak travel demand, and ExpressJet keeps their charter fleet busy during a historically slow period.
