They were able to seek an injunction because of the devastating impact that the contract cancellation would have had. They were granted the injunction because there was enough evidence that Mesa was in the right. The CRJ contract did not get an injunction because DL owns those planes, but Mesa is still taking that to court...
DL put Freedom in the toughest environment with the toughest schedules. To compare Freedom with Skywest or any other DCI, who operates in a cushy environment with lax schedules, is unfair.
DL could buy out of the contract, but it would be unwise financially to do so (at least from what I've heard...) Posted by DENpilot
What about Comair who has a base in Jfk during the Quarter in question they posted 30 or so 100% completion days to 0 for mesa. Comair also had to cancel flights on certain days in that span for Delta departures