• ExpressJet, which used to be a significant player among America's regional airlines, faced operational challenges due to the Covid-19 pandemic, leading to suspended operations and a brief rebranding as "Aha" in Reno.

  • Under new ownership by Vandi and Sami Cooyar, the once-defunct regional airline, ExpressJet, is plotting a comeback as a charter service, intending to start its operations using a Boeing 777-200ER.

  • ExpressJet is now in a robust financial position, estimating a $2 million investment for restarting certified operations.


ExpressJet, a previously defunct regional airline, is poised for a revival as a charter service, with plans to initiate its operations with a Boeing 777-200ER.

In recent communication to the US Department of Transportation’s (DoT) Air Carrier Fitness Division, the airline's fresh proprietors, Vandi and Sami Cooyar, proposed leveraging the airline's dormant operating certificate to reposition ExpressJet as a charter airline brand.

The Cooyars, stakeholders of the Reno, Nevada-based Logistic Air, have sought a 90-day grace period for their intent to recommence operations using the airline's certificate, set to lapse in the forthcoming month.

Following its re-organization green light from bankruptcy court last year, ExpressJet found its new home with Polaris 8, a wing under Logistic Air based in Delaware.

The selected Boeing 777, earmarked for charter assignments, bearing the code N771LG, will be on lease from Logistic. This two-decade-old aircraft, crafted in Everett, Washington, began its journey with Japan Airlines in mid-2003 and offers seating for 236 passengers.

Historically, ExpressJet held a robust position among America's regional airlines, boasting an impressive fleet surpassing 450 aircraft, largely serving industry giants like Delta Air Lines and United Airlines.

However, the airline faced turbulence with the Covid-19 induced downturn in air travel. Their operations were put on hold in September 2020, subsequent to United Airlines ending their collaboration. Before these challenges, ExpressJet had been a dedicated operator of ERJ-145s for United Express. This partnership shifted when United Airlines collaborated with Ohio's CommuteAir.

Adding another chapter to its history, ExpressJet was reincarnated briefly in 2021 as Reno's Aha, an acronym for "air-hotel-adventure". While it had aspirations for scheduled and charter flights, it declared bankruptcy within a year. Challenges like escalating fuel costs, dampened revenues, and pandemic-induced slow recovery were cited for its short-lived operation. Furthermore, challenges in sourcing aircraft and rapidly setting up passenger services in smaller airports played a role.

With a revived spirit, ExpressJet currently stands on firm financial ground, estimating a $2 million budget to recommence its certified services. The company assures the DoT that a detailed business blueprint will be unveiled in their impending operational resumption application.