Will Close By The End Of 2020

Regional carrier Trans States Airlines, which operates as United Express, has begun the process of closing its doors, with the process expected to be completed by the end of the year.

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that it obtained a memo to employees from Trans States CEO Rick Leach which sites a "razor thin" margin for success. In the memo, he discusses the challenges of hiring enough qualified captains, and major shifts in the regional airline market.

Leach said 2019 was a "exceptionally challenging financial year," and sees 2020 as being much the same. He said given the reality of the challenges, along with United's move to "simplify and create critical mass, we have come to the extremely difficult decision that an organized and well-planned wind-down of the Trans States operation is the most viable course of action.”

According to the memo, Trans States will cut its schedule prior to the summer travel season, and all operations will cease by the end of the year.

Trans States Holdings also operates Compass Airlines, which provides service to American and Delta, as well as GoJet Airlines, which flies for Delta and United.

Trans States Airlines flies 40 E145 50-seat regional jets for United.

(Image from file)

FMI: Source report