Final CRJ Crews Complete Training in the Embraer E175s

Mesa Air Group has officially finished its transition from Bombardier CRJ flying to an all-Embraer E175 fleet, with its last CRJ crews completing E-Jet training this month. The move fulfills United Airlines’ request, first announced in October 2024, to have Mesa operating only E175s by March 2025.

Mesa ran a little behind schedule, but with the final 160 pilots trained, the E-Jets now make up the company’s entire flying operation. The fleet currently includes 57 active E175s, with three temporarily out of service.

The airline says the change makes scheduling, training, and maintenance far simpler… despite it coming with a side of short-term losses. In the third quarter, Mesa reported an adjusted net loss of $600,000. According to CEO Jonathan Ornstein, the company’s “near breakeven adjusted net loss would have been a profit if not for continuing costs of CRJ900 aircraft and engines that have been agreed upon to be sold but have not yet closed.”

The broader context is Mesa’s merger with Republic Airways Holdings, which Ornstein described as creating a “regional airline powerhouse.” Combined, the two companies will operate more than 300 E170/E175 aircraft, essentially cornering the U.S. regional E-Jet market. Republic still has growth plans in the works, with nine additional E175s scheduled for delivery by the end of this year, plus 26 more set to arrive between late 2026 and early 2028.

Ornstein also highlighted that both Mesa and Republic’s cockpits are now fully staffed, a milestone neither airline has enjoyed since pre-COVID. That means they are finally flying the number of block hours they were supposed to be flying in the first place… a historic norm that has, in recent days, turned into a luxury.

The combined carrier is expected to generate annual revenue in the $1.8 to $2 billion range once the merger closes. Ornstein claims the post-merger company would carry about $1.1 billion in debt and hold more than $300 million in cash, with Mesa bringing no debt to the table.

The merger, announced in April, is expected to close by year’s end. In the meantime, Mesa and Republic pilot groups are working to smooth the transition until a joint contract is ratified. The current unity agreement includes plans to form a joint negotiating committee and share best practices.

FMI: www.mesa-air.com