Mesa Forges Aircraft Sales, Moves Toward All E-Jet Fleet

Mesa Air Group has brokered deals to sell 18 Embraer E175s to United Airlines and 15 CRJ-900s to a third party as it works to transition to an all-Embraer fleet.

The regional operator expects $229.1 million in gross proceeds from the E-Jets, of which $142.4 million will be used to pay off associated debt, Mesa Air Group said in a U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filing. The sale of the first eight aircraft closed on Dec. 31 for a total of $35.8 million after the payoff of debt.

Phoenix-based Mesa said the sale of the remaining E-Jets would occur on Jan. 31.

Additionally, Mesa on Dec. 24 entered into an agreement to sell 15 CRJ-900 airframes with landing gear and related parts to an undisclosed third party. The company expects to gain $19 million from the sale, all of which will be dedicated to paying down Mesa’s loan with the U.S. Treasury Department.

Mesa announced in October 2024 that, at United’s request, it plans to transition to an all E175 fleet by March 1. The Aviation Week Network Fleet Discovery database shows the company has 43 of the E-Jets in service and seven inactive aircraft. Its in-service fleet of CRJ-900s is comprised of six aircraft with 33 of the jets inactive. The sale of the E-Jets and CRJ-900s follows an announcement by Mesa on Dec. 24 that after working with United’s network planning group the carrier is scheduled to increase its aircraft utilization from an average of 8.9 block hours per day in the fourth calendar quarter of 2024 to 9.5 in the first quarter, a 7% increase.

The airline’s utilization is expected to reach 9.8 block hours per day by March. “While still below pre-Covid levels, the increase in utilization is a result of significantly reduced attrition throughout all work groups, more optimal scheduling practices, and improved operational performance,” the company said.

As a result of the increased flying, the airline is starting to recall previously furloughed pilots in January.