SkyWest Inc. Adds Aircraft to Its Massive Fleet

St. George, Utah based SkyWest Inc. recently announced in a press release that they have signed an agreement to purchase an twenty-two new Bombardier commercial aircraft. The purchase allows SkyWest Inc. (operator of SkyWest Airlines and Atlantic Southeast Airlines) to expand service to more destinations across the United States. The purchase is for four of Bombardier's CRJ 700 NextGen aircraft and eighteen Bombardier CRJ 900 NextGen aircraft. Currently, SkyWest Inc. operates 218 Bombardier CRJ series aircraft. The order, based upon list prices from Bombardier, is worth 770 million US Dollars.

Jerry Atkin, Chairman and CEO of SkyWest Inc. had the following to say at a recent press conference. "This CRJ NextGen aircraft order builds on operational efficiencies and aircraft reliability that SkyWest has enjoyed for 15 years as a CRJ US launch customer. SkyWest looks forward to showcasing the NextGen aircraft's enhancements to its passengers and employees."

Bombardier Regional Aircraft President Steven Ridolfi also had a few comments at the announcement. "We are very excited to have SkyWest become the 12^th customer to select the CRJ NextGen aircraft since the program was launched in May 2007. This firm order will bring SkyWest Inc.'s CRJ fleet to an impressive 385 aircraft, a true reflection of our successful partnership."

About SkyWest Inc: SkyWest Inc. operates two airlines, SkyWest Airlines and Atlantic Southeast Airlines, both regional affiliates of larger carriers in the United States. SkyWest today operates as United Express, Delta Connection, and Midwest Connect, offering services to United, Delta and Midwest Airlines. SkyWest Airlines operates from hubs in Salt Lake City, Chicago O'Hare, Los Angeles, Denver, San Francisco, Milwaukee, Portland and Kansas City. Atlantic Southeast Airlines operates solely for Delta Express, out of hubs in Atlanta, Cincinnati and Los Angeles.

About the ordered aircraft: The Bombardier CR J700 NextGen is the newest refinement of the long lasting series of CRJ regional aircraft. The CRJ 700 is a 70 seat version of the series, but as operated by SkyWest, will only feature 66 seats, as the first two rows are first class in current configurations. The NextGen portion of the aircraft comes from newly developed interiors and windows, which will make the aircraft passenger friendly, offering a better quality flight. The standard range variant can operate flights of nearly 2,000 nautical miles, while the ER (Extended Range) variant can fly nearly 2,300 nautical miles. This makes it possible for SkyWest to operate from their centrally located hubs to nearly any destination in the United States, offering countless possibilities of connecting smaller cities, which currently don't have nonstop airline service. Also purchased was the CRJ 900 NextGen, a larger version of the CRJ 700. The CRJ 900 will seat 76 passengers, 9 first class, and 67 in coach class. The CRJ 900 offers a range of up to 2,200 nautical miles, allowing for routes of nearly three hours to be flown.