Employees of Phoenix-based Mesa Airlines celebrated the arrival of the company’s 100th regional jet at its Phoenix hangar. The 76-seat E175, new from the Embraer factory in Brazil, was greeted by hundreds of Mesa employees, who enjoyed lunch and tours of the new aircraft.
“Taking delivery of our 100th jet is truly a great moment for our company,” said Chairman and CEO Jonathan Ornstein. “I would like to thank all of our dedicated employees, our longtime partners at American and United, and my friends and co-workers, including President Mike Lotz, COO Paul Foley, and EVP and Captain Mike Ferverda, among many others. We have a lot to be thankful for, and I truly believe there has never been a better time for Mesa Airlines.”
Mesa Airlines is currently the fastest growing airline in the country, with long-term partnership agreements with American Airlines and United Airlines. Mesa operates under the American Eagle and US Airways Express brands from hubs in Phoenix and Dallas/Fort Worth and as United Express from Washington Dulles and Houston George Bush Intercontinental Airport. Mesa’s previously announced aircraft deliveries will bring the fleet total to 115 by the end of 2015. The company is hiring all positions, including pilots, flight attendants and mechanics in locations across the country including Phoenix, Dallas/Fort Worth, Washington Dulles, Houston and El Paso.
“Our continued success goes back to the principles established by our founders Janie and Larry Risley back in 1982 in Farmington, New Mexico,” said Ornstein. “We do our best each day to provide outstanding customer service to our passengers, opportunities and job security for our employees, and industry-leading performance and efficiency for our airline partners.”
Mesa currently operates 78 Bombardier regional jets and recently announced the purchase of seven factory-new Bombardier CRJ900 NextGEN aircraft it will operate for American. In addition, Mesa currently operates 22 Embraer E175s for United, with eight more entering service this year.
