Originally Posted by
Mesabah
DAL has never said it will be an all jet fleet, that is just assumed rumor. If they plan on introducing a new turboprop then that announcement will come later. For DAL to not have a turboprop in the largest airline is foolish. The new ATR is launched on OCT 1st of this year, I'm optimistic that they may purchase this airplane since it has a 50 and 70 variant. It has no mainline scope restrictions and is cheaper to operate than the Q400.
Getting ATR is a rumor. I've also heard that but I'll believe it when it actually shows up at the Mesaba hangar. I just do not see DAL buying new turboprops in this economy. I see RESHUFFLING of existing CRJ7s and CRJ9s from one DCI carrier to another. Now as for RA stating Mesaba will be an all jet fleet by 2012, that is not a rumor.