US-based Mesa Airlines has unveiled a plan to include 12 new Embraer 175 (E175) aircraft in its United Express fleet, which is the brand name for the regional branch of United Airlines.

The proposed plan will bring Mesa’s total number of E175 fleet to 60 and its total number of large regional jets to 145.

It will also take Mesa’s United Express’ total fleet count to 80 aircraft, which includes 20 CRJ700s.

"Mesa has become the fastest growing US air carrier and the airline of choice for growth in the regional industry.”

Delivery of the new E175 aircraft is scheduled to begin by May and expected to create more than 500 new commercial aviation career opportunities.

Mesa Airlines chief operating officer John Selvaggio said: “We have grown our E-Jet fleet from 0mph to 60mph in record time and understand the importance of both top-notch performance and low-cost operations.

“Combining the two, Mesa has become the fastest growing US air carrier and the airline of choice for growth in the regional industry.”

Since the beginning of United Airlines’ E175 programme in 2014, Mesa has inserted 48 E-Jets to its United Express hub in Houston, Texas, US.

With 3,100 employees, Mesa currently operates 133 aircraft worldwide and has plans to hire an additional 1,000 people over the next two years.