United Thumbs Nose At Atlatnic Coast Airlines

In the strongest signal yet of its unhappiness with Atlantic Coast Airlines, United Airlines Friday announced it has signed an MOU with Trans States Airlines. Under the agreement, Trans States will operate up to 25 50-seat regional jets as a United Express codeshare partner at Washington and Chicago.

Right now, all United Express service out of Washington Dulles is provided by ACA, but UA and ACA have been at odds over terms of a new agreement since the beginning of the year. Each has gone to court seeking to enforce its position against the other.

The 10-year agreement between United and Trans States must be approved by the US Bankruptcy Court. St. Louis-based Trans States operates 22 ERJ-145s, 25 Jetstream 41s and six ATRs and already participates in the US Airways Express and AmericanConnection programs.

Trans States and ACA officials did not return calls seeking comment in time to be included in this report.

In addition to Trans States, UA has reached codeshare agreements with Air Wisconsin, SkyWest Airlines and Mesa Air Group.

FMI: www.ual.com