ASA Gets CRJ 900s

SkyWest, Inc.and Delta agreed to the operation of an additional 10 CRJ 900s to replace 20 CRJ 200s being spun out of the Delta Connection fleet earlier than the expected termination dates in the second and third quarters of 2010. The aircraft were previously ordered by Delta and are now being contracted for flying with SkyWest, Inc.'s wholly owned subsidiary, Atlantic Southeast Airlines. ASA currently operates 110 CRJ 200s and 39 CRJ 700s.
ASA will evaluate how it will redeploy the CRJ 200s based on market conditions at the time of removal from Delta contract operations. Options may include, but are not limited to, subleasing the aircraft and operating certain aircraft in pro-rate operations.
“This transaction represents a good faith effort by SkyWest, Inc. to help Delta right-size its fleet through the replacement of 50-seat CRJ200s with the larger, more efficient 76-seat CRJ 900s,” said SkyWest Inc Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Bradford R. Rich. “Additionally, we expect the deal to solidify ASA as Delta’s primary regional carrier in Atlanta through the addition of the CRJ900 aircraft to its fleet portfolio.”