The future of US regional airlines: big changes imminent

A small, seemingly inconsequential, press release touting a new partnership between AirTran and SkyWest, which operates as Delta Connection and United Express, was published recently. While most would view it as just another code-sharing relationship, the two airlines describe it as a "ground-breaking partnership". It aims to fortify AirTran's Milwaukee territory, now that Southwest has entered the market and Midwest Airlines is on the road to recovery, thanks to its acquisition and reorganisation by SkyWest rival Republic Airways Holdings (RJET).