• Enhanced CRJ900 NextGen aircraft will be operated by Mesa under the American Eagle brand, in the American Airlines network

Bombardier Commercial Aircraft announced today that Mesa Air Group, Inc. of Phoenix, Arizona (Mesa Airlines) has signed a firm purchase agreement for seven CRJ900 NextGen aircraft. The transaction was concluded on the sidelines of the International Society of Transport Aircraft Trading (ISTAT) Americas 2015 conference held in Mesa’s hometown.

Based on the list price of the CRJ900 NextGen aircraft, the firm order is valued at approximately $326 million US.

“Coming off the heels of the ISTAT Americas 2015 conference, we are pleased to confirm that Bombardier’s CRJ aircraft continue to be an essential part of Mesa’s growth strategy as we increase flight frequencies, expand partnership agreements and open new routes across North America,” said Jonathan Ornstein, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Mesa Airlines. “The CRJ900 NextGen aircraft with its advanced technology and enhanced fuel efficiencies remains a reliable and cost-effective regional jet solution for our growing customer base and we look forward to adding this newest iteration to our fleet. We would like to thank our longtime friends at Bombardier for their continued partnership.”

“A relationship 25 years in the making, we are delighted to see that the strong collaboration and mutual support established with Mesa years ago endures today as it remains one of the biggest supporters of our CRJ Series family of aircraft,” said Mike Arcamone, President, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft. “The CRJ900 NextGen aircraft continues to assert itself as the benchmark in regional aviation and we are seeing the benefits of our most recent investments in the program. We are well positioned to meet operator requirements for many years to come.”

As one of the largest CRJ900 aircraft operators, Mesa Airlines currently operates 57 CRJ900 aircraft with 79 seats in a dual-class interior and 20 CRJ700 with 66 to 70 seats in a three-class interior.