FRIDAY OCT 11, 2024
×
Search AeroXplorer
American Airlines Restores CRJ200 Through Partnership With Air Wisconsin

American Airlines Restores CRJ200 Through Partnership With Air Wisconsin

BY WINSTON SHEK 08/22/2022 AGO 0 COMMENTS

Amid the retirement of American Airlines's CRJ-200s during the pandemic, American Airlines will reintroduce the 50-seater city hopper to its regional fleet mix. The airline announced a new agreement with regional carrier Air Wisconsin, basing up to 60 CRJ-200s mostly at its Chicago O'Hare hub. In exchange, Air Wisconsin will terminate services with United Express where it services United's hubs in Chicago O'Hare and Washington-Dulles.

 

In an 8-K filing, Air Wisconsin disclosed that operations under American's regional brand, American Eagle, would commence in March 2023, with 40 CRJ-200s gradually entering the fleet mix until October 2023. Based on minimum block hour utilization, Air Wisconsin can add a further 20 CRJ200s into operations with American Eagle. Moreover, the agreement between American Airlines and Air Wisconsin allows for the addition of CRJ-700 flying for Air Wisconsin.

 

PSA Airlines operated 19 CRJ-200s for American Eagle, before their retirement due to the pandemic in 2020.

 

Any regional flying will supplement existing operations with American Eagle, where mainline U.S. carriers have struggled with staff shortages. In a memo to staff, American Airlines Chief Financial Officer, Derek Kerr, noted that "American has been - and will continue to be - aggressive in leading the industry in tackling this challenge, but it will take some time before this issue is resolved." He adds, "Air Wisconsin and its 1,100 team members will be a fantastic addition to the American Eagle family."

 

In the past year, mainline U.S. carriers were forced to drop a handful of regional destinations amid staffing shortages. Specifically, American Airlines was forced to cut flying to Dubuque, Iowa and Toledo, Ohio from Chicago due to staffing issues with regional carrier Envoy. These two routes, among others eliminated, can now be reinstated with Air Wisconsin.

 

Air Wisconsin developed the idea of code-sharing by operating flights under the United Express code in the 1980s.

 

Meanwhile, United Express will be faced with a dilemma as the airline reallocates resources to compensate for the loss of Air Wisconsin. Over the past year, United Airlines was forced to suspend more than 20 regional routes and ground 100 aircraft due to staff shortages, coupled with unfavorable economics due to rising fuel costs. 

 

Overall, the impact will be primarily felt at Chicago O'Hare and Washington-Dulles, where most Air Wisconsin flying is concentrated. Specifically, at O'Hare, single-class regional jets like the CRJ200 is set to represent four percent of flying by 2026 under United Next.

 

Photo: AeroXplorer | Cooper Palubeski


 

Furthermore, with Air Wisconsin's departure, United Airlines is gearing up for its United Next fleet plan where the airline plans to add larger narrowbodies and retire at least 200 regional aircraft. The removal of Air Wisconsin from United's regional fleet mix represents the first step in eliminating 200 regional aircraft. 

As American Airlines restores CRJ200 flying, Delta Airlines is slated to retire its CRJ200 fleet by 2023.

Winston Shek
Winston is an avid aviation photographer who currently resides in the DMV. He is currently a student at the University of Virginia. In his free time, he likes to play chess or practice his photography.

Comments (0)

Add Your Comment

SHARE

TAGS

NEWS American Eagle American Airlines American Air Wisconsin United Express United Airlines Chicago O'Hare Washington Dulles

RECENTLY PUBLISHED

Hurricane Milton Creates Huge Hole in Roof of Melbourne-Orlando Airport Hurricane Milton created a large hole in the roof of one Orlando airport. Find out who was present at the airport at the time of the event and when the airport is expected to reopen. NEWS READ MORE »
Hurricane Hunters Fly into Category 5 Storm Milton Onboard Miss Piggy The NOAA Hurricane Hunters flew into Hurricane Milton at its deadliest. See why the mission took place and how the aircraft got its "Miss Piggy" nickname. NEWS READ MORE »
ZIPAIR To Offer First Low-Cost Flights From Tokyo to Houston Japanese budget carrier ZIPAIR has announced its plans to offer the first-ever low-cost nonstop flights between Tokyo and Houston on its Boeing 787-8 aircraft. NEWS READ MORE »


SHOP

$2999
NEW!AeroXplorer Aviation Sweater Use code AVGEEK for 10% off! BUY NOW

FOLLOW US ONLINE