Originally Posted by
Xdashdriver
Several of the news releases that announced the order of the first 30 (around April 2013) said United also had options for 40 more. The total deal was worth $2.9b if United exercised all the options.
Sounds more like they're only firming up 5 of those 40 at this time, and that they won't come until 2016 (to whoever gets them):
United firms five E175 options
By:
Edward Russell
Washington DC
Source:
16:10 24 Apr 2015
United Airlines has firmed options for five
Embraer 175s with deliveries in 2016, as it continues to replace small regional jets with the 76-seat aircraft.
The Chicago-based carrier says that it is “currently negotiating with certain regional carriers to own and/or sublease and operate” the aircraft, in a quarterly stock exchange filing on 23 April.
The aircraft come from the 40 E175 options that United placed in April 2013. It ordered 30 firm aircraft at the time.
Mesa Airlines leases and operates the 30 aircraft with the last delivery due later this year.
United also contracts
Republic Airlines and
SkyWest Airlines to operate 95 more E175s for it under the
United Express banner. The last of these aircraft will be delivered in 2017.
The mainline carrier is in the process of reducing the number of 50-seat regional jets in its fleet, with its chief financial officer John Rainey reiterating plans to remove 130 of the small jets by the end of this year. Further reductions will occur as aircraft come off lease in the coming years.