Delta Connection to expand fleet

Delta Connection, which includes several carriers, on Tuesday announced the acquisition of 45 new aircraft for delivery in 2004 and 2005.
Atlantic Southeast Airlines will receive 25 CRJ200 aircraft from Bombardier Aerospace, and SkyWest Airlines will receive seven. Chautauqua Airlines will receive 13 Embraer regional jets. With these aircraft, Delta Connection said its fleet will include 54 regional jets at SkyWest, 148 CRJ jets at Atlantic Southeast, and 45 regional jets at Chautauqua.
Delta Connection Chief Executive Fred Buttrell in a statement said secured long-term financing for the aircraft was obtained “without additional up front cash investments by Delta Air Lines.”
Atlanta-based Delta Connection’s carriers include Delta units Atlantic Southeast and Comair; regional carriers Atlantic Coast Airlines, Chautauqua and SkyWest, and codeshare partner American Eagle.