If you wish to work for an airline that's aggressive and growing, that's easy to do today, with the boom in aviation growth. But to apply some statistics and figures to that statement, here's more about the latest airlines that are buying new aircraft, and which ones are partnering with and acquiring other airlines:
Pinnacle Airlines has purchased Colgan Airlines for US $20-million. Pinnacle will now serve a significant proportion of the US major airlines with agreements with Continental, United and US Airways.
Frontier Airlines has selected Republic Airlines to operate 17 Embraer 170s, as part of Frontier's regional jet service.
Midwest Airlines is partnering with Skywest Airlines to operate up to 25 50-seat CRJs. Flying as Midwest Connect, the SkyWest jets will allow Midwest to add new destinations, increase frequency on existing routes and hire more pilots.
Northwest Airlines is acquiring Mesaba Airlines. Mesaba operates a fleet of 46 Saab 340s. The major airline has also established a wholly-owned regional called Compass Airlines.
US Airways has accepted delivery of two new Embraer 190 E-Jets. The airline has placed firm orders for 25 more 190 jets, plus 32 additional orders for future delivery.
Delta Airlines is using Big Sky Airlines to increase service between Boston and select Northeastern markets. Using its fleet of Beech 1900Ds, Big Sky will add 16 new daily flights.
Air One, the Italian airline, is continuing its expansion with an order of 50 more Airbus A320s. This is on top of 40 already ordered. Air One currently serves 23 airports in Italy and 9 international cities.
Tatarstan Airlines, the national airline of the Republic of Tatarstan, has ordered six CRJ900s from Bonbardier. The carrier is based In Kazan.
South African regional airline, Airlink, has signed a lease for three BAe 146-200s from BAE Systems. Airlink will use these aircraft for flights from Johannesburg to Lusaka, Zambia, and Harare, Zimbabwe.
Ryanair has bought 27 more 737-800s, valued at US $2 billion.
AirTran has orders 15 more 737-700s. The airline now has 115 aircraft on firm order.
Delta adds 14 CRJ900's for Comair operation. They will begin scheduled flights as part of Delta Connection.
Flybe has bought a further 15 Q400s from Bombardier for US $394 million. It has also taken an option on 15 additional aircraft.
EgyptAir has taken delivery on the first of six Embraer 170s. They have an option on six additional aircraft. The E-170s are the backbone of the EgyptAir Express fleet.
And to end this article with a really large order, Qatar Airways has placed an order with Airbus for 80 of the new A 350XWB aircraft. The A 350XWB is Airbus' newest aircraft and will be the world's most technologically advanced.