US DoT Revokes ExpressJet Airlines Certificate After Failures
The US Department of Transportation (DOT) has officially revoked ExpressJet Airlines’ certificate following a prolonged period of inactivity and a lack of updates regarding its proposed restart as a charter specialist.
ExpressJet Airlines, once the world’s largest operator of Embraer E145 aircraft, had faced a series of setbacks in its efforts to regain a foothold in the aviation industry. The airline, based at Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, initially suspended operations on September 30, 2020, after losing its contract with United Airlines.
In an attempt to stay afloat, ExpressJet explored various avenues, including launching a restart as an independent regional carrier under the “aha!” brand. Unfortunately, this move also failed, leading to another suspension of operations in August 2022. Following this, the airline shifted its focus to charter flights, planning to operate with a single Boeing 777-200ER. However, this plan never materialized.
Although ExpressJet targeted the second half of 2024 for a restart using the Boeing 777, the DOT stated that it had not received any communication from the airline since November 2023. This lack of progress ultimately led to the DOT’s decision to revoke ExpressJet’s certificate.
After filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy restructuring in 2022, ExpressJet was acquired by Polaris 8, the parent company of Logistic Air and Global SuperTanker Services. Despite the acquisition, ExpressJet remained dormant, and the airline’s assets now include a single CRJ200, which has been inactive since 2016.
The DOT’s determination further revealed that ExpressJet would not be able to operate any airworthy aircraft until at least August 2025, according to FAA information.
ExpressJet’s struggles reflect broader challenges in the regional airline sector, as carriers attempt to adapt to changing market conditions. The revocation of its certificate ends the airline’s attempts to relaunch as a competitive regional and charter operator.
Related News : https://airguide.info/?s=ExpressJet+Airlines
Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, ch-aviation.com