June 3, 2010
Fellow Mesaba employees:
Last year, we announced Delta Air Lines’ decisions to exercise the early-out provision within the Saab lease agreement, returning 23 of the aircraft operated by our airline. As a result, Mesaba was scheduled to reduce the Saab fleet to 26 by the end of this year, with the awareness that early-out options also existed for those remaining aircraft. Yesterday, Delta notified Saab that it will exercise those options on the balance of the Saab fleet. Starting in January 2011, we will begin removing aircraft from our operation at a rate of two per month, and will work with Delta to determine the final retirement date of the Saab fleet.
The decision to phase out these 49 aircraft will allow Delta to achieve its goal of an all-jet regional fleet. Over the next few months, Delta will determine how to adjust its schedule to provide the best service for its customers, including those in communities currently served with Saab aircraft.
While this news is not unexpected, it will require adjustments to our business plan. In the past year, we took several steps in order to lessen the impact of the fleet reduction on our employees. Over the next few months, the Mesaba leadership team will be working on a revised business plan to reduce our overhead and to ensure our costs are properly aligned to operate a fleet of 60 jet aircraft. I will share more with you about these revisions in the near future.
While this decision supports Delta’s overall strategy in regards to its regional operations, we understand this has an impact for our employees, and we will communicate additional information to you regarding today’s announcement throughout this process. As you have all along, I know the people of Mesaba will continue to provide a safe, reliable, and enjoyable experience to our customers.


Here comes another 230 furloughs Every single person we've hired in the last three + years will lose their job.