What is the current outlook on our wholly owned regional carriers: Will we see more or less flying going to them? Any planned changes in fleet, if there is a shift in express flying? Does the company give any priority to wholly owned versus contracted flying? There are no changes planned at the moment with the only exception being that we have some leases set to end at Piedmont in 2009/2010. We are currently in negotiations and are hopeful that we can economically retain the aircraft. We have inducted the last of the aircraft in service with Republic and the overall Express fleet will shrink marginally from here as we return Mesa aircraft (two per year). Of course, we would welcome the opportunity to leverage our wholly-owned carriers’ efficiency by adding aircraft and flying to them, but we will not be growing in this current domestic environment.
This is old news they have been shrinking the 50 seaters every opportunity they can, the 900's are not shrinking (afaik).