Delta is parking every Comair -200 as their leases expire. Since BK in 2005, that loss is 60 airframes with an additional 15 going back this year. About 70 left to go in the next 5 years.

Don't forget that there are a few for sale as well. So if there were to be a buyer; those would go as well!

Yes we will see. I think the biggest reason they are going back is to shed aircraft, not because they are old or a turboprop. Why renew a lease for a saab when you have tons of -200s sitting around doing nothing while you pay leases on them. I really think it was all about timing. Delta needed to shed airframes and this was the easy one.

I honestly think a prop will be back in the DCI system. A 50 seat prop can do the short hops a lot cheaper than a 50 seat jet. I think it is a matter of when can Delta get rid of the -200s. I'm gonna guess 2-3 years and you will see some sort of order.

The other side of the story however is that if -200s saturate the market, it could drive lease rates down. Problem is they will be 15-20 year old -200s, not sure how long those things will stick around.

Delta is prohibited from selling or transfering any Comair aircraft with the exception of 50-seat lease expirations and any airframe that is damaged beyond economical repair.

This according to the concessionary pilot agreement '07, and expires on March 2, 2011.

I don't know how Delta has "loaned" Comair aircraft to Mesaba, SKW, or Pinnacle for "Paint Shop Spares", as this seems to go against the contract. Apparently ALPA doesn't want to investigate it and would rather fight over a downgraded Captains fourth stripe jeopardizing flight deck safety.

XJ only has 2 ex Comair CRJ200 for spares. I don't think they are even being flown by XJ.

We fly them quite a bit actually