Mesa Air Takes Delivery of First Delta Connection CRJ-900

US-based Mesa Air Group has taken delivery of the first of 14 Bombardier CRJ-900 next generation aircraft scheduled to be operated for Delta Connection by its wholly owned subsidiary, Freedom Airlines.

The operation of these new aircraft was announced in March 2007 and represents an expansion of the agreement that was already in place between Mesa Air Group and Delta Air Lines.

The first two aircraft will begin revenue service on November 1, 2007 and will operate in the New York, JFK and Dallas, Fort Worth market. The remaining 12 aircraft are scheduled to be delivered over the next 16 months.

Jonathan Ornstein, Mesa Air Group chairman and CEO, said: “We are delighted Delta has given us the opportunity to expand our partnership. Once all 14 aircraft are delivered, we will operate a total of 50 aircraft under the Delta Connection banner. Mesa is also the only regional airline to operate this type of aircraft for two major airline partners. We believe our industry-leading low costs and commitment to service will allow us to continue to expand our operations with existing partners as well as develop new partnerships in the future.”