Freedom Airlines

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History

The airline was established in March 2002 and started operations in October 2002. It was the launch customer for the Bombardier CRJ-900. The airline was started so that Mesa Air Group could fulfill its contractual obligations to operate Bombardier CRJ-900 as America West Express for America West Airlines. Establishing Freedom was necessary as Mesa Airlines was also operating as US Airways Express under a code share agreement for US Airways. US Airways' collective bargaining agreement with the Air Line Pilots Association prohibited contract carrier code share arrangements with regional jet carriers, if that carrier operated aircraft with more than 70 seats. Mesa Airlines, therefore, could not operate as US Airways Express and operate the Bombardier CRJ-900.

Initially Freedom operated the Bombardier CRJ-700 and Bombardier CRJ-900 on behalf of America West Airlines. Once US Airways' pilot scope limitation was relaxed, Mesa transferred the operation of all of Freedom's regional jets to Mesa Airlines. Once this transfer was complete Freedom placed a few Beech 1900D turboprops on its certificate and operated these as America West Express under a pro rate code share agreement with America West. In October 2005, Freedom Airlines began operations as Delta Connection.

Destinations

• Delta Connection
• *Akron, Ohio (Akron-Canton Regional Airport)
• *Austin, Texas (Austin-Bergstrom International Airport)
• *Baton Rouge, Louisiana (Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport)
• *Birmingham, Alabama (Birmingham International Airport)
• *Columbia, South Carolina (Columbia Metropolitan Airport)
• *Dayton, Ohio (Dayton International Airport)
• *Fayetteville/Springdale/Rogers/Bentonville, Arkansas (Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport)
• *Jackson, Mississippi (Jackson-Evers International Airport)
• *Knoxville, Tennessee (McGhee Tyson Airport)
• *Little Rock, Arkansas (Little Rock National Airport)
• *Louisville, Kentucky (Louisville International Airport)
• *Miami, Florida (Miami International Airport)
• *Nashville, Tennessee (Nashville International Airport)
• *New Orleans, Louisiana (Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport)
• *Newport News, Virginia (Patrick Henry International Airport)
• *Orlando, Florida (Orlando International Airport) Hub
• *Panama City, Florida (Panama City-Bay County International Airport)
• *Raleigh/Durham, North Carolina (Raleigh-Durham International Airport)
• *Richmond, Virginia (Richmond International Airport)
• *Tri-Cities, Tennessee (Johnson City, Tennessee/Kingsport, Tennessee/Bristol, Tennessee and Virginia) (Tri-Cities Regional Airport)
• New service to New York City's JFK Airport (starting Summer 2006 with Dash-8s)
• *Washington, D.C.- Dulles
• *Philadelphia, Pa. (starts July 15, 2006)
• *Syracuse, New York (starts August 1, 2006)
• *Albany, New York (starts August 1, 2006
• *Hartford, Conn. (starts August 15, 2006)
• *Providence, Rhode Island (starts August 15, 2006)
• *Richmond, Virginia (starts September 5, 2006)
• *Baltimore, Md. (starts September 5, 2006)
• *Washington, D.C.- National (starts September 15, 2006)
• *Manchester Boston Regional Airport (Starts September 15, 2006)
• *Portland, Maine (Starts September 15, 2006)

Fleet

Freedom Airlines operates the following aircraft:

• Embraer 145
• De Havilland Canada Dash-8

• Embraer 145 fly as United Express and Delta Connection
• Dash-8s added in July 2006 as Delta Connection

External links

• [Mesa Air Group Website]
• [Freedom Airlines Former Fleet Detail]

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