Mesa Air Group Furloughs 12 Pilots, Defers Training of 41 Pilot Trainees as Attrition Declines

By Denny Jacob

Mesa Air Group disclosed it furloughed 12 pilots and deferred training for 41 pilot trainees due to reduced attrition among its active pilot workforce.

The holding company of regional air carrier Mesa Airlines said its changes were effective July 12. It expects savings of about $750,000 a month in operating expenses.

Chief Executive Jonathan Ornstein said attrition at Mesa over the last two years often exceeded 25 pilots a month due to a pilot shortage that he attributed to the Federal Aviation Administration's implementation of its 1,500-hour rule. But attrition has fallen more than expected in the past few months, in part due to the slowdown or cessation of hiring across most airlines, he added.

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(END) Dow Jones Newswires

07-02-24 1815ET