By Edward Robertson
Mesa Air Group has entered into a conditional agreement with UK aviation consultancy Gramercy Associates to develop a joint venture that will then set up a new airline using Bombardier CRJ-900 aircraft.
Under the agreement Mesa, which currently operates scheduled passenger service to 114 cities in 39 states on 160 aircraft via Mesa Airlines, will own 49% of the stake with the plan being to introduce operations by the end of 2021.
Mesa chairman and CEO Jonathan Ornstein said: “We are very excited at the potential to expand our regional business overseas. As Mesa continues to diversify, we are looking forward to working with Gramercy on this new European venture.”
Gramercy managing director Tony Davis added: “We are looking forward to teaming up with Mesa to help bring the CPA and ACMI models that have been so successful in the US to Europe.”
If the launch goes ahead as planned, the new airline should have a number of opportunities to exploit both new and well-established routes following a number of airline collapses in Europe thanks to Covid-19, including Flybe, Air Italy and Germanwings.