Just after it lost 17 Bombardier (BBD) CRJ200s in Northwest (NWACQ) Airlink flying, Pinnacle (PNCL) was tapped by Delta (DAL), which emerged from bankruptcy last week, to provide service with 16 76-seat CRJ900s as a Delta Connection, starting in December. Related Story  Pinnacle has gone from a single Airlink partnership to five with the recent acquisition of Colgan, which recently gained significant turboprop service for Continental (CAL) out of Newark. Under its latest agreement, Pinnacle will acquire and finance the aircraft, taking delivery between November 2007 and July 2008, with scheduled service as a Delta Connection carrier beginning in December. The term of the agreement is for 10 years. Pinnacle already operates 139 Bombardier CRJ-200/440s as a Northwest Airlink. Colgan operates as Continental Connection, United Express (UAUS) and US Airways Express (LCC) with a fleet of 39 Saab 340 and 10 Beech 1900 turboprop regional aircraft.
"We are excited about this opportunity to join the Delta family," said Phil Trenary, Pinnacle's president, who added the aircraft will likely be operated by its wholly owned regional jet subsidiary, Pinnacle Airlines, Inc. "We look forward to a long-term partnership with Delta, and we appreciate the confidence that they have placed with us."

Mesaba
The 15 Bombardier CRJ200 aircraft delivered to Pinnacle as part of a new Northwest capacity purchase agreement during the first quarter have been reassigned to Northwest subsidiary Mesaba. The additional two aircraft that were part of the original deal are already in operation at Mesaba. In addition, the CRJ200, operated by Compass, will also be reassigned to Mesaba once it begins taking 76-seat Embraer 175 aircraft in the third quarter of 2007.. The aircraft will begin migrating from Pinnacle to Mesaba at a rate of two per month beginning in September. The move results from the failure of Pinnacle and ALPA to reach an agreement by March 31.