A once mighty brand in the regional aviation world has filed for bankruptcy and ceased operations.
On Tuesday, College Park, Georgia-based ExpressJet Airlines announced it had filed for protection under Chapter 11 of the US bankruptcy code due to “a combination of market and economic conditions,” according to a message posted on its website.
The filing has also brought an abrupt end to Reno, Nevada-based aha! Airlines, the brand used by ExpressJet for flights in the western United States.
aha! Was Less than a Year Old
Using ExpressJet’s fleet of three 50-passenger Embraer ERJ-145 aircraft, aha! provided service to 12 cities throughout California, Idaho, Oregon, Nevada, and Washington. All flights were operated out of the carrier’s base at Reno-Tahoe International Airport (RNO).
Aha!’s inaugural flight took place on 24 October 2021 from Reno to Tri-Cities Airport (PSC) in Pasco, Washington. aha!, an acronym for “air, hotel, adventure,” had plans to serve more than 20 cities from Reno.
ExpressJet Airlines’ Convoluted Journey from Boom to Bust
ExpressJet Airlines began operations in 1987 as a Continental Express carrier. It was acquired by Continental Airlines in 1996 and flew under the Continental Express banner through 2006. ExpressJet launched its own charter operation in 2006 and scheduled operations in 2007. High oil prices amid the financial crisis in 2008 led to the shutdown of the carrier in September of that year.
Meanwhile, ExpressJet also provided regional service for Delta Connection from June 2007 through September 2008. It also operated several short stints as a feeder for Frontier Airlines out of Denver (DEN), United Express out of Chicago O’Hare (ORD) and Washington Dulles (IAD), and Branson Air Express out of Branson, Missouri (BBG).
In 2010, ExpressJet was acquired by SkyWest Airlines and merged with Atlantic Southeast Airlines. At one point, the carrier operated more than 450 aircraft for United Express, American Eagle, and Delta Connection.
ExpressJet’s Last Breath
Amid the pandemic, United terminated its agreement with ExpressJet, effectively ending flying for the carrier. However, yet another brand resurrection occurred in 2021 when aha! began operations.
Today, the once mighty ExpressJet brand is officially no more. With the Chapter 11 filing and plans to liquidate assets, ExpressJet, along with aha!, appear to be on their way to becoming footnotes in the annals of aviation history.
