Looks like Mesa Airlines filed for Chapter 11 protection so they could get rid of planes that they’re not using and also to try to force a settlement in a law suit that they have against Delta Airlines. According to this Wall Street Journal article, it appears the airline has plenty of cash on hand, it just can’t seem to shed excess capacity fast enough.

I’m not an attorney, nor do I purport to know much about bankruptcy laws etc. but it seems like a shrewd move to file for bankruptcy to get rid of planes that you’re not using. I think it’s my naivete showing it’s head again.

In any case, it looks like no passenger flights will be affected, no employees and none of the other partnerships that the airline has will be affected by the filing. It’s strictly a move to force a settlement with Delta and to get rid of excess capacity that they have.

One thing is for sure, the attorney’s are making a lot of money off this deal.