OST-2003-14607

OST-2003-14607

Mesa Airlines, Inc.

OST-2003-14607	February 25, 2003	Application for an Exemption	Phoenix-Guadalajara Codeshare with America West Airlines
		Service List
		Exhibit A - Route Map
		Exhibit B - Fuel Burn Projections
		Exhibit C - Flight Routing

Hereby applies for a two-year exemption from 49 U.S.C. § 41101 and any other provision of the Department's rules, authorizing Mesa to engage in scheduled foreign air transportation of persons, property, and mail between Phoenix, Arizona - Guadalajara, Mexico, pursuant to a codeshare arrangement with America West Airlines, Inc. under which Mesa's flights in this market will carry America West's two letter designator code. Mesa requests that its exemption be issued as soon as possible so that Mesa can obtain the necessary approvals from the Government of Mexico and begin offering new service.

Mesa Airlines, Inc. has operated the Phoenix, Arizona - Guadalajara, Mexico route using CRJ Model 200, 50 seat aircraft under a codeshare agreement with America West for approximately two and a half years. This application, if granted, will authorize Mesa to operate the CRJ Model 700, 64 seat aircraft and other larger aircraft in this market.

By: Brian Gillman, 602-685-4051, Brian.Gillman@mesa-air.com

OST-2003-14607

March 4, 2003

Supplement to Application

Phoenix-Guadalajara, Mexico

In January 2003, Freedom Airlines, Inc., an affiliate of Mesa, submitted an application for exemption authority to engage in scheduled foreign air transportation of persons, property, and mail between Phoenix, Arizona - Guadalajara, Mexico, pursuant to a codeshare arrangement with America West Airlines, Inc. In February 2003, Mesa submitted an application for the same exemption authority.

Mesa submitted its application in anticipation of a transfer of the CRJ Model 700 flying from the Freedom certificate to the Mesa certificate. The transfer will take place in 2003 but may not be accomplished by the date that PHX-GDL operations are scheduled to commence. As a result, Mesa is requesting the Department grant exemption authority to Freedom on a temporary basis, until such time as the transfer has been accomplished.

Counsel: Mesa, Brian Gillman, 202-685-4051, brian.gillman@mesa-air.com

OST-2003-14607

Filed February 25, 2003
Issued March 20, 2003

Notice of Action Taken

US - Mexico

Exemption for two years under 49 U.S.C. 40109 to provide the following service: Scheduled foreign air transportation of persons, property, and mail between the terminal point Phoenix, Arizona, and the terminal point Guadalajara, Mexico. Mesa proposes to use the authority pursuant to a code share arrangement with America West Airlines, Inc., where America West will place its code on Mesa's flights in the market.

Mesa currently operates the Phoenix-Guadalajara route pursuant to a code-share arrangement with America West using 50-seat CRJ Model aircraft (relying on economic authority under Part 298 of the Department's regulations for small aircraft operations). This application is necessitated by Mesa's proposal to use 64-seat CRJ Model 700 aircraft (or larger) in the subject market. In its supplement filed March 4, 2003, Mesa explains that its affiliate, Freedom Airlines, Inc., which recently received exemption authority to serve the Phoenix-Guadalajara market (see Notice of Action Taken dated February 26, 2003, in Docket OST-2003-14318), will use the authority on a temporary basis until Freedom's aircraft and certificate are transferred to Mesa.

By: Paul Gretch