“New” AA Management Ties RJ Buy to More Cost Concessions at Regionals
Retirements and lease returns threaten to shrink the size of the Embraer ERJ fleet at American Eagle to an unsustainable level, warned the head of the airline's pilot union. (Photo: Embraer)
Retirements and lease returns threaten to shrink the size of the Embraer ERJ fleet at American Eagle to an unsustainable level, warned the head of the airline's pilot union. (Photo: Embraer)

The management of American Airlines merger partner US Airways has advised American Eagle pilot leaders that it will not place an order for 76-seat regional jets for Eagle or any other regional airline that hasn’t formulated a plan to “trend toward” the cost structure introduced at wholly owned Delta Air Lines subsidiary Pinnacle Airlines, the head of the American Eagle Air Line Pilots Association unit told membership last month. The calls for more cost cuts come some nine months after Eagle pilots ratified a new concessionary deal to help the airline emerge from bankruptcy.