How a Regional Airline Works

There are many regional airlines throughout the world -- some small, some larger.  One example in the U.S. is Mesa Airlines. Phoenix East Aviation has a recruitment partnership with Mesa; they are always eager to interview and hire PEA graduates when they are looking for new pilots.

Mesa Airlines is now operating 180 aircraft to 124 cities, 38 U.S. states, and Canada, Mexico and the Bahamas. The airline has over 800 daily departures. Mesa operates under contract as Delta Connection, U.S. Airways Express, and United Express for Delta Airlines, U.S. Airways and United Airlines. Mesa also flies independently under the Mesa name and as Go! to Hawaii. The latter operation links Honolulu to other Hawaiian island airports in the cities of Hilo, Kahului, Kona and Lihue. 

The airline was founded in 1982 in New Mexico by a husband and wife team, Larry and Janie Risley. They have approximately 5,000 employees and were awareded the Regional Airline of the Year in both 2005 and 1992 by Air Transport World magazine.  

New pilots who are short on experience are often hired as first officers by regional airlines. To find out more about how you can develop the skills to be a career pilot and fly for one of the great regional airlines, call Phoenix East. An Admissions Officer will tell you all about this exciting career.