Mesa Contract announced next month?
 

I heard a rumor that there are contracts out to take over some RJ-900 Mesa flying from Charlotte or Phoenix. I also heard that they were going announce the "winner" next month. True or not? Front runners?

Contract is with USAirways by the way

I would hope that anyone who might want to pass along a rumor would know that the 900 flying Mesa does is for US airways.

Most likely just a rumor, lots of people would like to see Mesa lose that flying, but they can underbid anyone so doubtful they would lose it.

From yesterday's earnings call....soon!

US Airways Group, Inc. Q2 2010 Earnings Call Transcript -- Seeking Alpha

Who owns the aircraft?

I dont' suppose that matters much at this point. Even if Mesa "owns" the leases, if they lose the contract now they can just abandon the aircraft before exiting bankruptcy. If USAir holds the pink slips then they just transfer the airplanes per whatever agreement they have for transferring the aircraft.

Why would lots of people like to see Mesa lose the flying? It is my understanding that the "majors" scope set the regionals up to undercut each other. Even if Mesa loses the flying eventually someone will undercut someone else for the flying. The only permanent fix to the problem is more strict scope. It is hilarious to think that one regional thinks there contract is so much better. They all suck.

It matters for exactly like you said. If USaiways owns them it opens up alot of players because no one will have to front capital to purchase airframes. I would imagine it would give a current CRJ operator a major leg up.

If mesa owns them then whoever wants to play will have to aquire airplanes. Which opens up the possibility of a different a/c type and different airplanes.

I would be worried if I were he other about underbidding mesa. Sure you may get the 900 flying, but at what cost? Mesa made the same fatal flaw earlier this decade with its' 200 flying at United. Under bid too much, and you end up operating at a loss for the next X amount of years. that is to actually underbid Mesa...

Agreed 100% about Mesa underbidding. But still it all goes back to the people who allowed this nonsense of contract flying to exist to begin with. You will never have leverage. Eventually the only people flying for any major carrier will be contract regional airlines. Almost all of United's flying domestically is already regional carriers! So much for moving on if regional airlines keep getting more.