American Airlines to launch E170 regional ops in mid-2Q21

American Airlines (AA, Dallas/Fort Worth) has scheduled the launch of E170 operations under the American Eagle brand for early May 2021, ch-aviation schedule analysis has revealed. The first batch of E170s will be operated for American Airlines by Republic Airways (YX, Indianapolis Int’l), which will move them from other regional partnerships. The ch-aviation fleets advanced module shows Republic operates a total of sixty-two E170s on behalf of Delta Air Lines and United Airlines. It owns 44 of these aircraft. Five aircraft operating for Delta are owned by this carrier, a further five flying for United are owned by Falko Regional Aircraft, and six, split between the two regional contracts, are owned by TrueAero. The ownership of the remaining two is unclear. Republic Airways will allocate sixteen E170s to the American Eagle contract, The Points Guy reported. It will reconfigure the regional jets with 65 passenger seats (12 in business class, 32 in premium economy, and 21 in economy), down from 69-70 in Republic’s current configuration. The change will allow American Airlines to treat the E170s as smaller regional jets for the purposes of its pilot scope clause agreement. Republic Airways did not respond to ch-aviation’s questions regarding the identity of the E170s due to be moved to the American Airlines contract. Envoy Air (MQ, Dallas/Fort Worth) is also in the process of adding 65-seat E170s for American Eagle operations. The carrier expects to commence operations of the type in June 2021, initially flying between La Guardia and Indianapolis. It will add at least six E170s going forward of which six are ex-BA CityFlyer (CJ, London City) stock which Azorra Aviation recently acquired.