ExpressJet pilots approve new labor contract

Source: ExpressJet Facebook page

Credit: Kelly Yamanouchi

Credit: Kelly Yamanouchi

Source: ExpressJet Facebook page

Pilots at College Park-based ExpressJet Airlines have voted to approve a new labor contract.

ExpressJet operates flights for United Express and was long a Delta Connection carrier, but this year marks the end of its contract with Delta.

The new collective bargaining agreement applies only to United Express pilots and increases pilot pay, according to the union.

But it is contingent on United Airlines dedicating at least 20 more 70-seat Embraer 175 jets to ExpressJet by January.

About 87 percent of ExpressJet pilots cast voted on the new contract, and 90 percent of the votes were in favor of the new three-year deal, according to the Air Line Pilots Association union.

ExpressJet, formerly known as Atlantic Southeast Airlines, had long been the largest Delta Connection carrier flying out of Atlanta. It is a subsidiary of St. George, Utah-based SkyWest Inc.

Delta is shifting more flying to Endeavor Air, a Delta Connection carrier based in Minneapolis that is also a wholly-owned subsidiary of Delta.