CommuteAir acquires ERJ170

CommuteAir has announced on 9 June 2023, that it has reached an agreement with Nordic Aviation Capital to purchase an Embraer ERJ170. It's currently unknown which airframe is involved and when it will be delivered.

The company, which is currently only operating for United Express, is planning to offer it's own commercial charter flights under its own brand with the new type in the fleet. Today, the fleet consists of 63 ERJ145XRs, all operated for United Express.

CommuteAir was founded in 1989 as CommutAir, and has bases at Denver (CO), Houston (TX) and Washington (DC). Initially, the airline was operating Beech 1900s and DHC-8s for US Air. In 2000, the airline was unable to reach a new agreement with US Air and switched to a contract to fly for Continental Airlines. In 2007, it phased-out its Beech 1900s but continued to operate the DHC-8.

When Continental Airlines merged with United Airlines in 2011, CommutAir continued to operate for the new airline. In July 2016 it started to operate its first ERJ145XR and a year later retired its last DHC-8. Since July 2020, CommutAir is the sole ERJ145-operator for United Express. In 2022, the airline changed its name by adding an "e" and was from then on called CommuteAir.

Illustration by CommuteAir.