Effective immediately, Mesa Air Group Inc. (NASDAQ: MESA) pilots who participate in the United Aviate program will earn service credit, including prior service towards a United transition, according to an announcement Wednesday from Mesa.
This includes pilots across all of Mesa’s operations, including American Eagle.
Before this enhancement, United Aviate participants could only gain service credit toward a United transition when flying under United Express.
The United Aviate program is designed to give pilots a clear path to the United Airlines flight line.
Chris Gill, Mesa Air Group Master Executive Council chairman representing the Air Line Pilots Association, said, “We’re glad Aviate has chosen to extend mainline advancement opportunities to all Mesa pilots. This represents a tremendous opportunity for our pilots, and I am confident it will also help Mesa retain and attract qualified pilots. It is our goal to help make Mesa the most attractive option for regional pilots.”
Jonathan Ornstein, chairman and CEO of Mesa said in a statement that he was also excited about the announcement.
“We greatly appreciate the support and confidence our pilots have received from our partners at United Airlines. I believe this will make Mesa an even more attractive option for pilots entering commercial aviation.
“The career path of our pilots [hasn’t been] more promising since I joined Mesa in 1988. I’d like to thank United and ALPA who helped make this happen.”
