Regional carrier Trans States Airlines will cease operations
by the end of 2020.

The carrier, which does all of its flying for United
Express-branded aircraft, will shutter in conjunction with a decision by United
to stop using Trans States. United instead will move its 36 Embraer E145
50-seat aircraft that Tran States has been operating into the stable of
regional carrier ExpressJet. 

The move, explained United spokesman Charles Hobart, is part
of a broader strategy to simplify the United Express operation. 

“We believe that this move will lower our long-term cost and
allow for a more dependable operation,” Hobart said. 

As part of that maneuvering, United will transfer the 20
76-seat Embraer E175 aircraft that ExpressJet now operates to SkyWest. That
will leave ExpressJet operating just a single type of United aircraft. 

In a memo to employees Monday, Trans States CEO Rick Leach
wrote that that carrier had explored numerous options other than closing. He
also said that Trans States had numerous cost and operational pressures ahead
of United’s decision. Notably, the carrier has a shortage of captains to pilot
aircraft, a problem that was making it difficult for Trans States to meet
contractual obligations. 

Trans States parent Trans States Holdings will continue to
operate regional carriers GoJet Airlines and Compass Airlines.

Source: Read Full Article