Release #: XJT 20.01
February 24, 2020
ExpressJet Pilots Laud United’s Commitment to Grow the Regional Carrier
HOUSTON, Tex.—The ExpressJet Airlines pilots, represented by the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA), responded positively to the announcement today that parent company ManaAir LLC will be adding 36 Embraer 145 regional jets to its existing fleet as the company also works to finalize a multiyear extension of its flying agreement with United Airlines.
“We are very optimistic about today’s announcement and United’s confidence in ExpressJet and its pilots to continue to provide exemplary service in the 50-seat market,” said Capt. Joe Mauro, chairman of the ExpressJet Airlines Master Executive Council, the governing body of the ExpressJet pilots. “This announcement confirms what the ExpressJet pilots have known all along—our dedication and professionalism have positioned ExpressJet as the premier United Express carrier.”
With the addition of the new regional jets, ExpressJet will become the world’s largest operator of the 50-seat ERJ 145, with 125-plus aircraft.
“Our ability to adapt to United’s larger growth plan in this environment of consolidation is key to our resiliency and our ability to position ExpressJet pilots for long-term stability and growth,” Mauro added. “This announcement also gives us an opportunity to work with our management team to negotiate compensation and quality-of-life improvements to the ExpressJet collective bargaining agreement in order to retain pilots already on the property and to make XJT attractive to new hires.”
ManaAir, of which United Airlines is a 49 percent stakeholder, purchased ExpressJet Airlines in early 2019 and flies exclusively as United Express.
Founded in 1931, ALPA is the largest airline pilot union in the world and represents more than 63,000 pilots at 35 U.S. and Canadian airlines, including the nearly 1,500 pilots at ExpressJet Airlines and more than 500 pilots at Trans States Airlines. Visit the ALPA website at www.alpa.org or follow us on Twitter @WeAreALPA.
-###-