The DOT on July 15 issued Trans States Holdings’ GoJet unit tentative approval for a certificate of public convenience and necessity, bringing it a step closer to launching service as a United Express carrier. The new entity, established in December to fly 70-seat jets for United, would start flying by the end of this month with a pair of CRJ700s if all goes according to schedule. Interested parties have 14 days to object to GoJet’s plans, and the airline still needs to finish its consultations over manual adjustments with the FAA before earning its operating certificate.

The first of 10 CRJ700s ordered by GoJet arrived in St. Louis in late June; the company expected the second by the end of last month. The airline plans to fly 10 of the airplanes by the end of this year as one of the United Express carriers recruited to replace Air Wisconsin. Flying 73 airplanes for US Airways, American Airlines and United, Trans States established GoJet late last year specifically for the 70-seat jets because the American Airlines’ pilot contract scope clause bars it from flying airplanes holding more than 50 passenger seats for any partner.