Delta, pursuing Pinnacle, messing with Mesa

An interesting way to write contract: write it so that no matter what the other guy does, he'll be in breach of contract. That, it seems, may be what Delta is doing with its regional contracts. That's one interpretation you could put on Delta's aggressive campaign to end its flying deals with two regional airlines, Mesa and Pinnacle.

The carrier told Mesa back in April it was ending its contract with Mesa's Freedom Air unit, which flies 41 planes for Delta. The feeder had failed to complete enough of its flights in recent months and so was in breach of contract. Mesa, which needs the business, sued and won an injunction. Delta denied then and denies now it is playing dirty, but it is paying hardball.