Story ID: 
Mesa takes first CRJ900
By: Gregory Polek
Caption:  Bombardier last month delivered the first production example of its newest regional jet, the CRJ900, to Phoenix-based Mesa Air Group.
Word Count: 160
 Bombardier last month delivered the first production example of its newest regional jet, the CRJ900, to Phoenix-based Mesa Air Group. Scheduled to fly for the first time under the America West Express livery on April 27 between Phoenix and Los Angeles, the 80-seat jet gives Mesa the largest-capacity aircraft in the U.S. regional airline business. America West remains one of the few major airlines whose pilots have yet to bar their regional brethren from flying airplanes that carry more than 70 passengers, although a new scope clause tentatively agreed upon would limit the number of CRJ900s to 25. Mesa recently converted firm orders for five 64-seat CRJ700s to orders for five CRJ900s. The airline now holds firm orders for 15 CRJ700s, seven of which it now operates, and firm orders for 25 CRJ900s. It also holds options on another 20 of each variant. Mesa also flies 32 fifty-seat CRJ200s for America West and 36 Embraer ERJ-145s as US Airways Express.