Air Wisconsin will contribute with 60 aircraft to American Airlines and will resume operations under the American Eagle name after four years.
The aircraft will enter service beginning in March 2023 and will serve the Chicago/O’Hare (ORD) base, initially with 40 aircraft, leaving open the possibility of adding 20 CRJ with 50-passenger capacity or even its 70-seat CRJ 700.
“They supply the right equipment to meet customer demand in every city in our network. Air Wisconsin and its 1100 team members will be a fantastic addition to the American Eagle family.” Derek Kerr, American’s chief financial officer, in an internal airline statement.
Previously, Air Wisconsin operated for US Airways Express at the company’s East Coast bases, following the merger of American and US Airways in 2015, transitioning to operations under a codeshare agreement with American Eagle through 2018.
In 2017, Air Wisconsin announced a new agreement with United Airlines to operate under the United Express banner, following the expiration of the airline’s agreement with American Eagle.
United Airlines has been a historic partner of Air Wisconsin, since its founding in 1985, even owning the regional carrier. The agreement will mark the end of the two carriers’ joint operations, currently serving the Washington/Dulles (IAD) and Chicago/O’Hare (ORD) hubs.
In September 2021, the company announced that it had signed a lease agreement for at least 1 Bombardier CRJ200SF (converted freighter) to enter service from December 2021.
Recently, Air Wisconsin increased pilot wages, with a starting pay of USD 60 per hour to its first officers. In addition to the increase in hourly pay, the regional carrier is offering $20,000 in bonuses and premium pay available up to 300%.
Another American Airlines fleet move
In early August, Piedmont Airlines announced it will acquire fifteen Embraer ERJ 145 (LR) from sister carrier Envoy Air, also owned by American Airlines, after increasing pilot pay by 100% for new pilots and 400% on direct entry captain applications.
“With a strong increase in pilot hiring, including a significant number of direct-entry captains, we are confident that we can continue to reliably staff and operate an expanded fleet.” said Piedmont CEO Eric Morgan.
Piedmont serves small and mid-sized cities from American’s hubs in Charlotte and Philadelphia, operating 250 flights per day. Piedmont last received an E145 in March 2019. With this addition, the company will now have 68 50-passenger Embraer ERJ 145 (LR), operating under the American Eagle brand.
Piedmont expects to hire more than 400 pilots and 300 flight attendants by 2022.
