United Reaches Aircraft Deals
United Airlines announced
today that it has reached agreements with United Express carrier SkyWest
Airlines and GoJet Airlines, a subsidiary of Trans States Holdings, to
provide approximately 30 aircraft that will operate under the United
Express name by the first quarter of 2006. “We are pleased to introduce a superior product, offering a first-class
cabin, as well as Economy Plus seating on the CRJ-700s these two carriers
will operate,” says Sean Donohue, United’s vice president for United
Express and Ted. “Customer feedback on the aircraft has been very
positive, and our passengers will appreciate the additional seat comfort,
headroom and aisle space the aircraft provide.”
The agreements announced today are a result of the request for proposal
that United announced last November. Of these 30 aircraft, SkyWest will
operate 20 and GoJet will operate ten 70-seat Bombardier CRJ-700 aircraft
under the United Express brand. The first aircraft, operated by GoJet,
will begin flying in August on routes to be announced at a later date.
These 30 aircraft will fly on some routes previously operated for United
by Air Wisconsin Airlines. As the company indicated in an announcement to
employees late last month, United also is considering reductions in the
United Express fleet to further reduce spending on U.S. domestic capacity,
given high fuel prices and the current fare levels.
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