United CEO meets Mesa pilots after carrier’s split with American

United Airlines Holdings Inc. Chief Executive Officer Scott Kirby met with pilots at a Mesa Air Group Inc. training facility Monday, two days after Mesa said it had ended its partnership with United competitor American Airlines Group Inc.

Kirby, whose company already contracts with Mesa for some service, visited amid talks to expand its ties with the regional carrier, Mesa CEO Jonathan Ornstein said in an interview Monday. 

A United spokeswoman didn’t respond to requests for comment.

American and Mesa said Dec. 17 they had agreed to wind down their contract for regional flights, primarily out of Phoenix — where Mesa is headquarted — and Dallas-Fort Worth. 

A five-year deal with United would compensate Mesa for higher costs, including increased pilot pay, Mesa said.