ExpressJet Airlines pilots, represented by the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA), voted to ratify a two-year contract extension that contains pay increases and work rule improvements. With 84 percent of eligible pilots participating in the ballot, 83% voted in favor of the agreement.

“While this extension of our collective bargaining agreement is a step forward, it still doesn’t return ExpressJet pilots to our pre-concessionary rates,” said Captain Dave Allen, chairman of ALPA’s ExpressJet Master Executive Council. “We believe that this agreement provides SkyWest, Inc. [ExpressJet’s parent company] the tools and stability it requires to return this airline to profitability. With this agreement in place, and the superior performance and efforts of our pilot group, we look forward to the opportunities available in the future.”

ExpressJet pilots, who operate the world’s largest fleet of Embraer 145 regional jets as United Express and American Eagle, have been engaged in joint negotiations with the pilots of Atlantic Southeast Airlines (ASA) and ExpressJet management since the two airlines merged in 2010. Both pilot groups began exploring separate contract extensions when it became obvious that the company’s current financial situation would not support a non-concessionary joint agreement.

The newly ratified agreement extends the amendable date of the pilots’ contract to February 2018 while requiring the pilot group to return to joint negotiations with ASA no later than October 1, 2017.