Mesaba Airlines
A defunct American regional airline that operated feeder and code-sharing services for Northwest Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and US Airways.
Last updated August 26, 2026
AI crawler reads
No AI crawler has read this profile since Oct 28, 2026.
Overview
Mesaba Airlines was a regional airline based in Minnesota that operated from 1944 until its corporate integration into Pinnacle Airlines in 2012. The business began as Mesaba Aviation in Coleraine, Minnesota, using a single Piper Cub to transport employees of the Blandin Paper Mill Company between Grand Rapids and Minneapolis. It later developed into a scheduled commuter carrier serving communities in Minnesota, Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota, and neighboring states. The name Mesaba refers to the Mesabi Range and derives from an Ojibwe word associated with a soaring eagle. Ownership changed several times during the company’s development. The Halverson family acquired the airline in 1973 and expanded its scheduled services, while the Swenson family purchased it in 1977 and took the company public in 1982. Mesaba’s most important commercial turning point came in late 1984, when it became a code-sharing partner of Northwest Orient Airlines. Operating under the Northwest Airlink identity, Mesaba connected smaller communities with Northwest’s Minneapolis–Saint Paul hub. It subsequently added service from Detroit and expanded across the Upper Midwest and Great Lakes region. During the 1990s, Mesaba developed a mixed turboprop and regional-jet operation. It introduced Fairchild Metroliner and Fokker F27 aircraft on earlier routes, added de Havilland Canada Dash 8 and Saab 340 turboprops, and began operating Avro RJ85 regional jets for Northwest Jetlink from Memphis in 1997. The RJ85 was notable for offering first-class seating on a regional jet and became a distinctive part of Mesaba’s fleet. By 2000, Mesaba operated the world’s largest Avro RJ85 fleet, with 36 aircraft, while also ranking among the largest Saab 340 operators. The airline was severely affected by the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, high fuel prices, and financial pressure at Northwest Airlines. Northwest entered Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2005 and withheld more than $25 million in payments to regional partners. Its plans to retire the Avro fleet and reduce Saab 340 flying left Mesaba with substantial fleet and revenue uncertainty. Mesaba filed for Chapter 11 protection on October 13, 2005, reduced its workforce and fleet, and gradually removed its Avro RJ85 aircraft. It emerged from bankruptcy in April 2007 after being acquired by Northwest Airlines. Following Northwest’s merger into Delta Air Lines, Mesaba continued operating under the Delta Connection brand. It moved some Saab 340 aircraft to Atlanta and received additional Bombardier CRJ900 aircraft for service from Salt Lake City. In 2011, it also began operating Saab 340 flights from New York LaGuardia as US Airways Express, replacing service previously operated by Colgan Air. Delta sold Mesaba to Pinnacle Airlines Corporation on July 1, 2010. Pinnacle planned for Mesaba to concentrate on turboprop operations while the sister Pinnacle Airlines operation focused on regional jets. Mesaba eventually absorbed aircraft and personnel associated with the group’s restructuring, although Colgan’s Q400 aircraft were not transferred. On January 4, 2012, Mesaba’s aircraft and personnel were moved to the Pinnacle Airlines operating certificate and the airline effectively ceased independent operations. Its certificate was surrendered on July 31, 2012. The carrier was reported to have completed its 68-year operating history without a fatal accident.
History
Mesaba Aviation was founded in 1944 by Gordy Newstrom in Coleraine, Minnesota. Its first aircraft was a Piper Cub purchased for $1,300, used to carry Blandin Paper Mill employees between Grand Rapids and Minneapolis. Newstrom moved the company to Grand Rapids in 1950. The Halverson family purchased the business in 1973 and introduced scheduled services to communities including Spencer, Iowa; Ely and Virginia, Minnesota; and Duluth. In 1977, the Swenson family acquired Mesaba. The company became publicly traded through its ownership structure in 1982, by which time it operated Beechcraft 99 commuter turboprops in Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota. In late 1984, Mesaba entered a code-sharing relationship with Northwest Orient Airlines. Under the Northwest Airlink brand, it fed passengers from smaller communities into Northwest’s Minneapolis–Saint Paul hub. Mesaba expanded into Detroit in 1988, using Fokker F27 and Fairchild Swearingen Metroliner aircraft, and established maintenance facilities in Detroit and Wausau, Wisconsin. The company added routes in Ohio and Pennsylvania and expanded its workforce. It began receiving leased de Havilland Canada Dash 8 aircraft in 1991 and later agreed with Northwest to operate Saab 340 turboprops. Mesaba entered regional-jet flying in 1997 when it introduced the Avro RJ85 on Northwest Jetlink services from Memphis. The aircraft offered 16 first-class and 53 coach seats, making Mesaba an early regional carrier to provide a first-class cabin. To address concerns from Northwest mainline pilots regarding regional-jet operations, Mesaba’s jet activities were separated into Airways Corporation. The company continued to expand its turboprop and jet network, adding destinations such as Aspen, Bozeman, and Montreal. In 2000, its fleet included 36 Avro RJ85s and a substantial Saab 340 operation. The airline’s financial position deteriorated after the September 11 attacks. Northwest later sought to retire Mesaba’s Avro aircraft and reduce Saab operations, while the cancellation or deferral of CRJ deliveries created an inefficient fleet structure. Northwest’s Chapter 11 filing in September 2005 intensified the crisis because payments to regional partners were withheld. Mesaba filed for Chapter 11 in October 2005. It removed Avro aircraft, returned leased Saab 340s, reduced its workforce, and renegotiated labor agreements. Northwest acquired the company after bankruptcy proceedings, and Mesaba emerged from protection in April 2007. After Northwest became part of Delta, Mesaba operated Delta Connection services and repositioned aircraft within Delta’s network. Additional CRJ900 aircraft were assigned to Salt Lake City, while Saab 340 operations expanded at selected hubs. In July 2010, Delta sold Mesaba to Pinnacle Airlines Corporation. The new owner intended Mesaba to be its turboprop-focused subsidiary, with Pinnacle Airlines operating regional jets. Mesaba also took on some Saab 340 activity associated with Colgan Air and began US Airways Express service from LaGuardia in 2011. The corporate structure was ultimately consolidated. On January 4, 2012, Mesaba’s aircraft and personnel moved to the Pinnacle Airlines operating certificate. The Mesaba certificate was surrendered on July 31, 2012, ending the airline’s independent existence. The company’s historical importance came from its long service to small communities, its close relationship with Northwest and Delta, and its role in the development of large regional-jet and turboprop networks.
- 2012
Independent operations end
[1]Mesaba aircraft and personnel transferred to Pinnacle Airlines on January 4; its operating certificate was surrendered on July 31.
- 2011
US Airways Express service begins
[1]Mesaba began Saab 340 operations from LaGuardia under the US Airways Express brand.
- 2010
Sold to Pinnacle Airlines Corporation
[1]Delta sold Mesaba to Pinnacle Airlines Corporation.
- 2007
Emerges from bankruptcy under Northwest ownership
[1]Mesaba completed its bankruptcy process and became a Northwest-owned subsidiary.
- 2005
Bankruptcy filing
[1]Mesaba filed for Chapter 11 protection after Northwest’s bankruptcy and reductions in contracted flying.
- 2000
Avro RJ85 fleet reaches 36 aircraft
[1]Mesaba became the largest Avro RJ85 operator worldwide at that time.
- 1997
Regional-jet operations begin
[1]The airline introduced Avro RJ85 aircraft on Northwest Jetlink services from Memphis.
- 1991
Dash 8 fleet introduced
[1]Mesaba added leased de Havilland Canada Dash 8 turboprops.
- 1984
Northwest Airlink partnership
[1]Mesaba began code-sharing service for Northwest Orient Airlines.
- 1982
Public-company phase begins
[1]The company was taken public through its ownership structure as it expanded commuter operations.
Products and positioning
Regional airline and contract feeder carrier connecting smaller communities with major airline hubs.
Regional airline code-sharing · 1984
Northwest Airlink service
Mesaba’s principal historical offering was feeder service for Northwest Orient and later Northwest Airlines. Using turboprops such as the Metroliner, Fokker F27, Dash 8, and Saab 340, the airline connected smaller Midwestern and Great Lakes communities with Northwest’s Minneapolis–Saint Paul and Detroit hubs.
Regional jet service · 1997
Northwest Jetlink Avro RJ85 service
Introduced in 1997, the Avro RJ85 gave Mesaba a larger regional jet platform for Northwest’s Memphis operation. The aircraft carried both first-class and coach passengers and represented one of the airline’s most distinctive fleet and service developments.
Regional airline code-sharing · 2008
Delta Connection service
Following Northwest’s combination with Delta, Mesaba operated flights under the Delta Connection brand. Its network included Saab 340 turboprop flying and CRJ900 regional-jet operations from hubs such as Atlanta and Salt Lake City.
Regional airline code-sharing · 2011
US Airways Express service
In 2011, Mesaba operated Saab 340 flights from New York LaGuardia to destinations including Charlottesville, Manchester, Ithaca, Syracuse, Providence, Washington Dulles, Martha’s Vineyard, and Nantucket for US Airways.
Controversies
2009
Rochester tarmac-delay penalty
The Department of Transportation determined that Mesaba personnel did not assist in deplaning passengers from a diverted aircraft during an overnight delay lasting more than six hours. The agency characterized the conduct as an unfair and deceptive practice and imposed a $75,000 civil penalty.
2009
Judge approves Mesaba Airlines discrimination settlement
A federal judge approved a settlement in a religious-discrimination lawsuit involving Mesaba Airlines, allowing $130,000 to be distributed to five people whom the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission said were victims of discrimination. The lawsuit alleged that the airline discriminated in employment over religious observances.
Brand decisions
2012
Transfer to Pinnacle operating certificateM&ABackground
Pinnacle Airlines Corporation consolidated its regional-carrier operations.
Action taken
All Mesaba aircraft and personnel were transitioned to the Pinnacle Airlines operating certificate on January 4, and Mesaba’s certificate was surrendered later that year.
Aftermath
Mesaba ceased to exist as an independent airline.
2011
US Airways Express LaGuardia launchProduct launchBackground
Colgan Air was being removed from selected US Airways Express flying.
Action taken
Mesaba began operating Saab 340 services from LaGuardia to eight destinations, including seasonal service to Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket.
Aftermath
The service formed part of Mesaba’s final period of operations before its integration into Pinnacle.
2010
Sale to Pinnacle Airlines CorporationM&ABackground
Delta reorganized its regional-airline portfolio after acquiring Northwest.
Action taken
Delta sold Mesaba to Pinnacle Airlines Corporation for $62 million, with Mesaba intended to become the group’s turboprop-focused carrier.
Aftermath
Mesaba later operated within Pinnacle’s certificate before being folded into Pinnacle Airlines in 2012.
Sale consideration. 62000000 (2010)
2005
Fleet reduction and Avro retirement planningStrategyBackground
Northwest’s bankruptcy and its view that the aging Avro fleet was inefficient placed pressure on Mesaba’s revenue and fleet structure.
Action taken
Mesaba reduced its Avro RJ85 and Saab 340 fleets, deferred or lost planned CRJ deliveries, and pursued labor and cost restructuring.
Aftermath
The airline filed for Chapter 11 in October 2005 and later emerged under Northwest ownership.
Recent events
- 2012
Mesaba operations transferred to Pinnacle Airlines certificate[1]
M&A · Leadership change
Aircraft and personnel were transferred to Pinnacle Airlines on January 4, effectively ending Mesaba’s independent operations.
- 2011
Mesaba begins US Airways Express service from LaGuardia[1]
Product launch
Mesaba replaced Colgan Air on selected US Airways Express routes from New York LaGuardia using Saab 340 aircraft.
- 2010
Delta sells Mesaba to Pinnacle Airlines Corporation[1]
M&A
Delta transferred Mesaba to Pinnacle Airlines Corporation as part of a restructuring that placed the airline within Pinnacle’s regional-carrier group.
- 2005
Mesaba Airlines files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection[1]
Bankruptcy
Mesaba sought bankruptcy protection after Northwest Airlines entered Chapter 11, withheld payments to regional partners, and planned major reductions in Mesaba’s aircraft assignments.
Sources3 sources
Cite this profile: Cite the canonical profile. /brand-wiki/mesaba-airlines · Editorial policy · How profiles are compiled