Tag Archives: SkyWest

Embraer delivers the first Embraer E175 to SkyWest Airlines

Embraer (São José dos Campos) yesterday (March 27) delivered, in a ceremony held at the Company’s headquarters, in São José dos Campos, the first dual-class 76-seat Embraer 175 (ERJ 175) to SkyWest Inc. (SkyWest Airlines) (St. George, Utah). The aircraft is part of the firm order signed by the airline last year, for 40 E175 aircraft. SkyWest Airlines will operate the aircraft as an United Express carrier for United Airlines. The E175s are configured in a dual-class 76-seat layout.

An additional 60 orders are reconfirmable, subject to SkyWest being awarded Capacity Purchase Agreement (CPA) contracts with major U.S. airline partners. The agreement between SkyWest and Embraer also includes options for another 100 E175s, taking the potential total order up to 200 airplanes.

In a separate deal with Embraer, SkyWest became the launch customer of the E175-E2, ordering 100 aircraft with 100 additional options, for deliveries beginning in 2020.

SkyWest is the largest regional airline group in the world and is the parent company of SkyWest Airlines and ExpressJet Airlines. Both companies have long histories with Embraer and were early customers for the Embraer EMB 120 Brasilia turboprop aircraft. More than 40 EMB 120 Brasilia aircraft currently fly in the SkyWest Airlines network, primarily in the western United States. ExpressJet Airlines operates 251 aircraft of the ERJ 145 family and is the largest ERJ operator in the world.

The new type is due to enter revenue service on May 17, 2014 on the Chicago (O’Hare)-Washington (Reagan National) route.

United Express-SkyWest:

Routes operated as United Express:

SkyWest Airlines to add two new United Express destinations in North Dakota

SkyWest Airlines (St. George, Utah) has announced new United Express jet service from Jamestown and Devils Lake Regional Airports to the Denver hub.

Beginning June 5, 2014, there will be 11 roundtrip flights each week from both Jamestown and Devils Lake to Denver, including both nonstop and one-stop trips. Every flight is timed to provide extensive connection opportunities on hundreds of daily United Airlines flights in Denver.

The new service from Jamestown and Devils Lake will be operated with 50-passenger Bombardier-manufactured Canadair Regional Jet 200s (CRJ200s).

Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing/AirlinersGallery.com. SkyWest’s Bombardier CRJ200 (CL-600-2B19) N973SW (msn 7949) climbs away from the runway at Los Angeles International Airport.

United Express-SkyWest:

Routes operated as United Express:

SkyWest, Inc. reports lower fourth quarter net profit of $8.6 million and a higher net profit of $59 million for 2013

SkyWest, Inc. (SkyWest Airlines and ExpressJet Airlines) (St. George, Utah) reported net income of $8.6 million, or $0.17 per diluted share, for the quarter ended December 31, 2013, compared to net income of $13.9 million, or $0.27 per diluted share, for the same period last year.

SkyWest also reported net income of $59.0 million, or $1.12 per diluted share, for the twelve months ended December 31, 2013, compared to $51.2 million, or $0.99 per diluted share, for the same period last year.

Quarter Summary

For each of the quarters ended March, June and September of 2013, SkyWest reported improved financial results, on a year-over-year basis, in achieving increases in its fully-diluted earnings per share. However, SkyWest experienced a decline in its financial results for the quarter ended December 31, 2013 compared to its financial results for the quarter ended December 31, 2012. During the quarter ended December 31, 2013, compared to the quarter ended December 31, 2012, SkyWest experienced increased crew training costs as a result of new regulations regarding pilots (FAR 117) that became effective January 4, 2014 of approximately $3.0 million pretax. SkyWest also experienced increased maintenance costs of approximately $5.0 million, pretax, due primarily to performing additional C-checks related to used aircraft that were added to SkyWest’s fleet during 2013. Additionally during the quarter ended December 31, 2013, SkyWest incurred approximately $3.0 million, pretax, of costs associated with advanced pilot training and efforts to become certified to operate the new Embraer 175 regional jets scheduled for deliveries beginning in March 2014.

For the quarter ended December 31, 2013, SkyWest generated increased operating revenues (net of fuel, certain engine overhaul, landing fee and station pass-through revenues under SkyWest’s contracts with its major partners), of approximately $23.0 million, or 3.7%, compared to the quarter ended December 31, 2012, primarily due to additional block hour production of 2.8% and scheduled rate escalations. The increased operating revenues were offset by increased costs in several areas that resulted in a reduced amount of operating and pre-tax income for the quarter ended December 31, 2013 compared to the quarter ended December 31, 2012.

Following are selected statistics and information from the quarter ended December 31, 2013, compared to the quarter ended December 31, 2012:

Pre-tax income declined to $15.1 million, compared to $25.6 million
Fully-diluted EPS declined to $0.17, compared to $0.27
Increased block hour production 2.8% to 584,594 block hours, compared to 568,808 block hours
Increased operating revenues by approximately $23.0 million (net of fuel, certain engine overhaul, landing fees and station pass-through revenues) primarily related to rate escalations under SkyWest’s agreements with its major partners and increased block hour production
Increased total aircraft fleet to 757 aircraft as of December 31, 2013, compared to 744 aircraft as ofDecember 31, 2012

Commenting on the results, Jerry C. Atkin, SkyWest’s Chairman and CEO, said, “The decrease in our earnings in the fourth quarter is primarily due to advance preparations for the implementation of FAR 117, the new flight and duty time regulations, and aging maintenance costs on the 50-seat aircraft. We also invested in our future by beginning certification work on the Embraer 175 aircraft that are scheduled for delivery beginning in the first quarter of 2014.”

Financial and Operating Results

Operating revenues totaled $804.4 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2013, compared to $810.7 million for the same period last year or a decrease of $6.3 million. The decrease was due primarily to the reduction of approximately $29.2 million in fuel expenses, certain engine overhaul amounts, landing fees and station costs which were directly reimbursed by SkyWest’s major partners and recorded as operating revenues. However, this reduction was mostly offset by recording $23.0 million in additional operating revenues, primarily resulting from rate escalations under SkyWest’s agreements with its major partners and a 2.8% increase in total block hours for the quarter ended December 31, 2013, compared to the quarter ended December 31, 2012.

Total airline expenses (consisting of total operating and interest expenses) increased $4.0 million, or 0.5%, during the quarter ended December 31, 2013, compared to the same period in 2012. However, after deducting pass-through costs for fuel, certain engine overhaul expenses landing fees and station costs from total operating cost and interest expenses, the remaining total airline expenses increased $33.4 million. Management estimates that approximately $16.9 million of the increase was due primarily to the 2.8% increase in block hour production and approximately $16.4 million was primarily due to additional maintenance costs, cost increases resulting from new pilot regulations (FAR 117) and costs incurred from certifying a new E175 aircraft type.

Under certain of its agreements with its major partners, SkyWest recognizes revenue at fixed hourly rates for mature engine maintenance on regional jet engines and recognizes engine maintenance expense on its CRJ200 regional jet engines on an as-incurred basis as maintenance expense. During the quarter ended December 31, 2013, CRJ200 engine expense under these agreements decreased $1.0 million to$9.6 million, compared to $10.6 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2012, primarily as a result of decreased engine overhaul expense due to the timing of scheduled engine maintenance events. SkyWest was reimbursed approximately $12.7 million and $10.3 million for engine overhaul expense, under its agreements with its major partners, during the quarters ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

Liquidity

At December 31, 2013, SkyWest had $670.1 million in cash and marketable securities, compared to$709.4 million as of December 31, 2012. Cash and marketable securities decreased $39.3 million during the quarter ended December 31, 2013 compared to the balance as of December 31, 2012, due primarily to SkyWest’s payment of $40.0 million (total amount required under agreement) related to deposits on its new order for E175 regional jet aircraft. SkyWest’s long-term debt was $1.29 billion as of December 31, 2013, compared to $1.47 billion as of December 31, 2012. The decrease in long-term debt for the twelve-months ended December 31, 2013 was due primarily to SkyWest’s payment of normal recurring debt obligations. SkyWest has significant long-term lease obligations that are recorded as operating leases and are not reflected as liabilities on SkyWest’s consolidated balance sheets. At a 5.8% discount rate, the present value of these lease obligations was approximately $1.5 billion as of December 31, 2013.

Business Developments

On May 21, 2013, SkyWest announced it had entered into a Capacity Purchase Agreement (CPA) with United Airlines, Inc. to operate 40 new Embraer 175 dual-class regional jet aircraft. The CPA is for 12 years and the new aircraft will be operated by SkyWest’s wholly-owned subsidiary, SkyWest Airlines, Inc. (St. George). Deliveries for these aircraft are scheduled to begin in March 2014 and continue through July 2015.

Additionally, on May 21, 2013 SkyWest announced it reached an agreement with Embraer S.A. for the purchase of 100 new E175 dual-class regional jet aircraft, 40 of which are considered firm orders and the remaining 60 aircraft remain conditional upon SkyWest entering into capacity purchase agreements with other major airlines. SkyWest intends to place the 40 new E175 aircraft into service under the terms of the United CPA discussed above.

On June 17, 2013, SkyWest and Embraer jointly announced an aircraft purchase agreement covering 100 E175-E2 dual-class regional jet aircraft and an option to purchase an additional 100 of the same aircraft. Deliveries for these E2 aircraft are tentatively planned to start in 2020.

During 2012, SkyWest announced the award of 34 additional dual-class aircraft and the removal of 66 CRJ200 aircraft under its Delta Connection Agreements with Delta Airlines, Inc. (Atlanta). As of May 2013, all 34 of these additional dual-class aircraft had been delivered. As of December 31, 2013 SkyWest had removed 33 (22 placed in contract with another major partner and 11 removed from SkyWest’s fleet) of the 66 CRJ200 aircraft from service and currently anticipates removing another 29 CRJ200 aircraft during 2014. SkyWest believes the remaining four CRJ200 aircraft will be removed from its fleet in early 2015. Additionally, 41 of the 66 CRJ200 aircraft have been financed by Delta and will be returned to Delta with no further obligation by SkyWest.

Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing/AirlinersGallery.com. Even though SkyWest is shrinking its Bombardier CRJ200 fleet, it was fortunate to place some of the grounded CRJ200s with American Airlines as an American Eagle carrier. SkyWest’s Bombardier CRJ200 (CL-600-2B19) N864AS (msn 7502) departs the runway at Los Angeles International Airport.

American Eagle-SkyWest:

SkyWest to offer Delta Connection service to Moab and Vernal, Utah starting on March 2

SkyWest Airlines (St. George) will bring Delta Connection air service from the Salt Lake City hub to Eastern Utah passengers in March. In both Moab and Vernal, Utah, the new Delta Connection flights, operated by SkyWest, will begin on March 2, 2014.

Each of the new flights from both Moab and Vernal have been timed to provide maximum connection opportunities in Salt Lake City. With 260 daily flights in Salt Lake to more than 80 destinations, including New York and Washington, D.C., it is easy for passengers to get anywhere they want to go. The direct access to Utah’s capital will also continue to drive economic development in Eastern Utah, and makes it simple for those who want to take advantage of the incredible outdoor activities that are available in Moab and Vernal.

All flights will be operated on 30-seat Embraer EMB-120ER Brasilia turboprops.

Copyright Photo: Bruce Drum/AirlinersGallery.com. SkyWest’s Brasilias currently operate in their own in-house 1986 color scheme for Delta. They are not expected to adopt the Delta Connection livery. Embraer EMB-120ER Brasilia N562SW (msn 120336) lands in Las Vegas.

SkyWest Airlines:

Delta Connection-SkyWest Airlines:

Route Map: SkyWest-operated routes for Delta Air Lines:

SkyWest announces quarterly income of $26.4 million

SkyWest, Inc. (St. George, Utah) today reported net income of $26.4 million, or $0.50 per diluted share, for the quarter ended September 30, 2013, compared to net income of $20.9 million, or $0.40 per diluted share, for the same period last year.

SkyWest also reported net income of $50.3 million, or $0.96 per diluted share, for the nine months ended September 30, 2013, compared to $37.2 million, or $0.72 per diluted share, for the same period last year.

Quarter Highlights

SkyWest experienced improved financial results for the quarter ended September 30, 2013, compared to its financial results for the quarter ended September 30, 2012. SkyWest generated increased operating revenues (after giving effect to reduced fuel, certain engine overhaul and landing fee pass through amounts) primarily due to additional block hour production from increased aircraft utilization, larger fleet size and rate escalations in SkyWest contracts with its major airline partners. Following are selected highlights from SkyWest’s quarter ended September 30, 2013, compared to the quarter ended September 30, 2012:

Increased pretax income 34.8% to $44.4 million, compared to $32.9 million
Increased fully-diluted EPS 25.0% to $0.50, compared to $0.40
Increased block hour production 2.8% to 613,821 block hours, compared to 596,901 block hours
Increased operating revenues by approximately $32.9 million (net of fuel, certain engine overhaul and landing fee pass through revenues), primarily related to rate escalations under SkyWest’s agreements with its major partners and increased block hour production
Made cash payments of $22.9 million consisting of $11.5 million for the repurchase of 800,000 shares of treasury stock and $11.4 million for deposits on new aircraft
Increased total aircraft fleet to 756 aircraft as of September 30, 2013, compared to 739 aircraft as of September 30, 2012

Commenting on the results, Jerry C. Atkin, SkyWest’s Chairman and CEO, said “We are pleased with the improved financial performance for the current quarter. However, in spite of current challenges we remain committed to further improvement in meeting our current and long-term operational and financial objectives.”

Financial and Operating Results

Operating revenues totaled $850.7 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2013, compared to $865.3 million for the same period last year or a decrease of $14.6 million. The decrease was due primarily to the reduction of approximately $47.5 million in fuel, certain engine overhaul amounts and landing fees which were directly reimbursed by SkyWest’s major partners and recorded as operating revenues. However, this reduction was mostly offset by recording approximately $32.9 million in additional operating revenues, primarily resulting from rate escalations under SkyWest’s agreements with its major partners and a 2.8% increase in total block hours for the quarter ended September 30, 2013, compared to the quarter ended September 30, 2012.

Total airline expenses (consisting of total operating and interest expenses) decreased $18.2 million, or 2.2%, during the quarter ended September 30, 2013, compared to the same period in 2012. However, after excluding pass-through costs for fuel, certain engine overhaul expenses and landing fees, total airline expenses increased $29.3 million.

Under certain of its agreements with its major partners, SkyWest recognizes revenue at fixed hourly rates for mature engine maintenance on regional jet engines and SkyWest recognizes engine maintenance expense on its CRJ200 regional jet engines on an as-incurred basis as maintenance expense. During the quarter ended September 30, 2013, CRJ200 engine expense under these agreements decreased $4.0 million to $9.1 million, compared to $13.1 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2012, primarily as a result of decreased engine overhaul expense due to the timing of scheduled engine maintenance events. SkyWest was reimbursed approximately $12.8 million and $10.4 million for engine overhaul expense, under its agreements with its major partners, during the quarters ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

Liquidity

At September 30, 2013, SkyWest had $727.8 million in cash and marketable securities, compared to $709.4 million as of December 31, 2012. The increase in cash and marketable securities of $18.4 million was primarily the result of increased profitability. Cash and marketable securities increased $62.2 million during the quarter ended September 30, 2013 compared to a balance of $665.6 as of June 30, 2013. SkyWest’s long-term debt was $1.35 billion as of September 30, 2013, compared to $1.47 billion as of December 31, 2012. The decrease in long-term debt for the nine-months ended September 30, 2013 was due primarily to SkyWest’s payment of normal recurring debt obligations. SkyWest has significant long-term lease obligations that are recorded as operating leases and are not reflected as liabilities on SkyWest’s consolidated balance sheets. At a 4.7% discount rate, the present value of these lease obligations was approximately $1.6 billion as of September 30, 2013.

Recent Business Developments

On August 2, 2012, SkyWest announced the award of 34 additional dual-class aircraft and the removal of 66 CRJ200 aircraft under its Delta Connection Agreements with Delta Airlines, Inc. As of May 2013, all 34 of these additional dual-class aircraft had been delivered. As of September 30, 2013 SkyWest had removed 30 (22 placed in contract with another partner; other 8 removed from fleet) of the 66 CRJ200 aircraft from service and currently anticipates removing another 18 CRJ200 aircraft between October 2013 and December 2013. SkyWest believes the remaining 18 CRJ200 aircraft will be removed at various times through 2014 and early 2015. Additionally, 41 of the 66 aircraft have been financed by Delta and will be returned to Delta with no further obligation by SkyWest.

On May 21, 2013, SkyWest announced it had entered into a Capacity Purchase Agreement (CPA) with United Airlines, Inc. to operate 40 new Embraer ERJ 175 dual-class regional jet aircraft. The CPA is for 12 years and the new aircraft will be operated by SkyWest’s wholly-owned subsidiary, SkyWest Airlines, Inc. (United Express). Deliveries for these aircraft are scheduled to begin in March 2014 and continue through August 2015.

Additionally, on May 21, 2013 SkyWest announced it reached an agreement with Embraer S.A. for the purchase of 100 new ERJ 175 dual-class regional jet aircraft, 40 of which are considered firm orders and the remaining 60 aircraft remain conditional upon SkyWest entering into capacity purchase agreements with other major airlines. SkyWest intends to place the 40 new aircraft into service under the terms of the United CPA discussed above.

Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing/AirlinersGallery.com. SkyWest Airlines’ Bombardier CRJ700 (CL-600-2C10) N752SK (msn 10209) climbs away from the runway at Los Angeles.

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United Express-SkyWest Airlines:

Alaska Airlines launches new routes today

Alaska Airlines (Seattle/Tacoma) begins daily service between Boise, Idaho, and San Diego today, as the carrier celebrates 30 years of service to Boise Airport.

Summary of new service:

Start date	City pair	Departs	Arrives	Frequency
Nov. 1	Boise-San Diego	10:30 a.m.	11:40 a.m.	Daily
Nov. 1	San Diego-Boise	5:35 p.m.	8:45 p.m.	Daily

All times based on local time zones.

The flights will be operated by Alaska Airlines regional partners SkyWest Airlines (St. George) and Horizon Air (Seattle/Tacoma).

In other news, Alaska Airlines is also inaugurating daily service between Seattle/Tacoma and Colorado Springs, Colorado, starting today, and between Seattle/Tacoma and Omaha, Nebraska, starting on November 7.

Summary of new service:

Start date	City pair	Departs	Arrives	Frequency
Nov. 1	Seattle-Colorado Springs	6:20 p.m.	9:55 p.m.	Daily
Nov. 2	Colorado Springs-Seattle	8:00 a.m.	9:55 a.m.	Daily

Start date	City pair	Departs	Arrives	Frequency
Nov. 7	Seattle-Omaha	10:40 a.m.	3:45 p.m.	Daily
Nov. 7	Omaha-Seattle	4:15 p.m.	5:45 p.m.	Daily

Times based on local time zones.

Flights will be operated by SkyWest Airlines using 70-seat Bombardier CRJ700 regional jets.

Finally, Alaska Airlines is growing again in Portland, Oregon, with new nonstop flights between the Rose City and Tucson, Arizona, today, and between Portland and Reno/Tahoe, Nevada, starting on November 8.

Summary of new service:

Start date	City pair	Departs	Arrives	Frequency
Nov. 1	Portland-Tucson	9:15 a.m.	12:05**/1:05 p.m.	Daily
Nov. 1	Tucson-Portland	12:35**/1:45 p.m.	3:30**/3:40 p.m.	Daily

** Nov. 1 and Nov. 2 flight time differs due to daylight saving time adjustment.

Start date	City pair	Departs	Arrives	Frequency
Nov. 8	Portland-Reno	11:10 a.m.	12:45 p.m.	Daily
Nov. 8	Reno-Portland	1:15 p.m.	2:50 p.m.	Daily

All times based on local times zones.

Alaska Airlines’ Portland-Tucson flights will be operated by SkyWest Airlines using 70-seat CRJ700 regional jets (above). Portland-Reno/Tahoe flights will be flown for Alaska by Horizon Air using 76-seat Bombardier DHC-8-402s (Q400s).

Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing/AirlinersGallery.com. Alaska SkyWest’s (SkyWest Airlines) Bombardier CRJ700 (CL-600-2C10) N217AG (msn 10031) climbs away from the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport hub.

Alaska Airlines:

Alaska SkyWest:

United to add new “ski season” flights

United Airlines (Chicago) will add flights to popular U.S. ski destinations for the upcoming winter and spring ski season, with three new routes and increased service on several existing routes.

New Service

On December 12, 2013, United will launch nonstop service from its San Francisco hub to Sun Valley, Idaho, with daily flights offered through March 30, 2014.

United will also begin nonstop service from its Chicago O’Hare hub to Gunnison/Crested Butte and Steamboat Springs/Hayden, Colorado. The Gunnison/Crested Butte flights will begin on December 21, 2013, and the Steamboat Springs/Hayden flights will begin on February 15, 2014. The Gunnison/Crested Butte and Steamboat Springs/Hayden flights will operate through March 29, 2014.

Additional Service on Existing Markets

United will also add flights to existing ski market routes from several of its hubs:

Denver to Kalispell/Whitefish, Montana.
Houston to Aspen, Colorado.
Houston, Los Angeles and Newark to Jackson Hole, Wyoming.
Los Angeles to Steamboat Springs/Hayden, Colorado.
Newark to Bozeman, Montana.

United Express carrier SkyWest Airlines (United Express) (St. George, UT) will operate the new routes, using Bombardier CRJ700 regional jet aircraft with United First, United Economy Plus and United Economy seating.

SkyWest’s CRJ700 aircraft are among the first being outfitted with United’s new signature seat design that is focused on customer comfort and environmental responsibility.

The multi-tonal leather seats on the CRJ700 aircraft will have more ergonomic and supportive cushioning and additional seat-back storage space in United Economy Plus and United Economy. New technology makes the seats more environmentally friendly by reducing seat weight and volume, contributing to less fuel burn. United will also outfit other aircraft types with the multi-tonal leather interiors and similar cushioning and seat-back storage.

Winter Ski Destinations from All U.S. Hubs

From the Denver hub alone, United offers nonstop flights to 13 ski resorts for the winter ski season. Additionally, the new flights further expand United’s broad range of winter-season service from all of its U.S. hubs to ski destinations across North America, including:

Aspen: from Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles and San Francisco
Bozeman: from Chicago, Denver, Los Angeles, New York/Newark and San Francisco
Burlington, Vt.: from Chicago, Cleveland, New York/Newark and Washington
Durango, Colo.: from Denver
Eagle/Vail, Colo.: from Denver, Houston and New York/Newark
Gunnison/Crested Butte: from Chicago, Denver and Houston
Hayden/Steamboat Springs: from Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, and New York/Newark
Jackson Hole: from Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, New York/Newark and San Francisco
Kalispell/Whitefish: from Denver
Kelowna, British Columbia: from Los Angeles
Mammoth Lakes, Calif.: from Orange County and San Francisco
Montrose/Telluride, Colo.: from Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, and New York/Newark
Reno/Tahoe, Nev.: from Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, and San Francisco
Salt Lake City: from Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, and San Francisco
Santa Fe/Taos, N.M.: from Denver
Sun Valley: from San Francisco
Vancouver, British Columbia: from Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, and San Francisco

Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing/AirlinersGallery.com. SkyWest Airlines’ Bombardier CRJ700 (CL-600-2C10) N706SK (msn 10149) climbs away from the runway at Los Angeles International Airport.

United Express-SkyWest Airlines:

United Airlines:

SkyWest Airlines to open a new maintenance base at South Bend, Indiana

SkyWest Airlines, a subsidiary of SkyWest Inc. (St. George, Utah), has announced it will open a maintenance facility at South Bend Airport (SBN). The facility will begin operations in the coming months in an existing hangar at SBN.

Of the 40 positions created by the facility, 16 of these are expected to be local hires. Positions include parts supply control,
custodial and a facility maintenance manager. The additional positions will be FAA Airframe and Powerplant Mechanics
(A&P Mechanics).

South Bend will become the ninth maintenance base for the airline, in addition to facilities in Chicago (O’Hare), Colorado Springs, Fresno, Milwaukee, Nashville, Palm Springs, Salt Lake City and Tucson. SkyWest will perform routine maintenance and repairs, primarily on the Bombardier-manufactured CRJ200 aircraft, each night at the 46,000-square-foot SBN facility.

Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing/AirlinersGallery.com. SkyWest Airlines’ Bombardier CRJ200 (CL-600-2B19) N927SW (msn 7693), operated for United Airlines as an United Express carrier, approaches the runway at Los Angeles International Airport.

SkyWest-United Express:

Combined Route Map:

Alaska Airlines to operate to Steamboat Springs/Hayden, Colorado this winter

Alaska Airlines (Seattle/Tacoma) will begin new seasonal service between Seattle/Tacoma and Steamboat Springs/Hayden, Colorado, this winter. The twice-weekly flights will operate from December 18, 2013, through March 29, 2014.

Summary of new service:

Service Dates	City Pair	Departs	Arrives	Frequency
Dec. 18-March 29	Seattle-Steamboat	1:35 p.m.	4:50 p.m.	Wed, Sat
Dec. 18-March 29	Steamboat-Seattle	5:25 p.m.	6:50 p.m.	Wed, Sat

All times based on local time zones.

SkyWest Airlines (Alaska SkyWest) will operate the new flights for Alaska Airlines using a 70-seat Bombardier CRJ700 regional jets.

Copyright Photo: Stephen Tornblom/AirlinersGallery.com. SkyWest Airlines’ Bombardier CRJ700 (CL-600-2C10) N215AG (msn 10009) taxies at Long Beach, California.

Alaska Airlines:

Alaska SkyWest:

Horizon Air and SkyWest to open up four new routes from Seattle/Tacoma and Portland for Alaska Airlines and two routes from San Diego

Alaska Airlines (Seattle/Tacoma) will inaugurate daily service between Seattle/Tacoma and Colorado Springs, Colorado, starting on November 1, and between Seattle/Tacoma and Omaha, Nebraska, starting on November 7. The carrier will also add nonstop flights between Portland, Oregon, and Tucson, Arizona, starting on November 1, and between Portland and Reno, Nevada, starting on November 8, 2013.

Summary of new service:
Seattle-Colorado Springs
Start date	City pair	Departs	Arrives	Frequency
Nov. 1	Seattle-Colorado Springs	6:20 p.m.	9:55 p.m.	Daily
Nov. 2	Colorado Springs-Seattle	8 a.m.	9:55 a.m.	Daily

Seattle-Omaha
Start date	City pair	Departs	Arrives	Frequency
Nov. 7	Seattle-Omaha	10:40 a.m.	3:45 p.m.	Daily
Nov. 7	Omaha-Seattle	4:15 p.m.	5:45 p.m.	Daily

Portland-Reno
Start date	City pair	Departs	Arrives	Frequency
Nov. 8	Portland-Reno	11:10 a.m.	12:45 p.m.	Daily
Nov. 8	Reno-Portland	1:15 p.m.	2:50 p.m.	Daily

Portland-Tucson
Start date	City pair	Departs	Arrives	Frequency
Nov. 1	Portland-Tucson	9:15 a.m.	1:05 p.m.	Daily
Nov. 1	Tucson-Portland	1:35 p.m.	3:30 p.m.	Daily

All times based on local time zones.

The new Portland-Reno flights will be flown for Alaska Airlines by Horizon Air (Alaska Horizon) (Seattle/Tacoma) using 76-seat Bombardier DHC-8-402s (Q400s). The remaining flights will be operated by SkyWest Airlines (Alaska SkyWest) (St. George) using 70-seat Bombardier CRJ700 regional jets.

Alaska Airlines last operated between Portland and Reno in 2009 and also served Portland-Tucson in 2003.

In addition, Alaska Airlines will begin new daily service between San Diego and Boise, Idaho, starting on November 1, and daily seasonal service between San Diego and Mammoth Mountain Ski Area in California, starting on December 19, 2013.

Summary of new service:
San Diego-Boise
Start date	City pair	Departs	Arrives	Frequency
Nov.1	Boise-San Diego	10:20 a.m.	11:25 a.m.	Daily
Nov.1	San Diego-Boise	5:35 p.m.	8:40 p.m.	Daily

San Diego-Mammoth Lakes
Start date	City pair	Departs	Arrives	Frequency
Dec. 19-April 13	San Diego-Mammoth	5:30 p.m.	7 p.m.	Mon, Tue, Wed,
				Thu, Fri, Sun
Dec. 19-April 13	Mammoth-San Diego	7:30 p.m.	9 p.m.	Mon, Tue, Wed,
				Thu, Fri, Sun
Dec. 21-April 12	San Diego-Mammoth	9:30 a.m.	11 a.m.	Saturdays only
Dec. 21-April 12	Mammoth-San Diego	11:30 a.m.	1 p.m.	Saturdays only
All times based on local time zones.

The new 90-minute flight to Mammoth Lakes is estimated to save residents more than 6 hours of driving. Horizon Air (Alaska Horizon) will operate the Mammoth Lakes flights for Alaska Airlines using 76-seat Bombardier DHC-8-402s (Q400s). SkyWest Airlines (Alaska SkyWest) will operate the new San Diego-Boise flights for Alaska using 70-seat Bombardier CRJ700 regional jets.

With these flights, Alaska Airlines will offer 25 peak-daily departures from San Diego with nonstop service to 12 domestic and two international destinations.

Top Copyright Photo: Bruce Drum/AirlinersGallery.com. Horizon Air’s Bombardier DHC-8-402 (Q400) N441QX (msn 4348) pushes from the gate at the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport hub.

Alaska Airlines:

Alaska Horizon:

Alaska SkyWest:

Bottom Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing/AirlinersGallery.com. SkyWest Airlines’ Bombardier CRJ700 (CL-600-2C10) N215AG (msn 10009) lands at Long Beach.