SkyWest, Inc. Reports Combined December 2016 Traffic for SkyWest Airlines and ExpressJet Airlines

ST. GEORGE, Utah, Jan. 6, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- SkyWest, Inc., (NASDAQ: SKYW) ("SkyWest") today reported 156,788 block hours in December 2016, compared to 166,536 block hours in December 2015, a decrease of 9,748 or 5.9%.  The net decrease was consistent with SkyWest's fleet transition plan to improve the mix of aircraft in its fleet by adding new E175 aircraft, while reducing its 50-seat jets.  

The year-over-year net change was primarily driven by approximately 10,700 additional block hours from its E175 aircraft and a decrease of approximately 20,400 block hours from its other aircraft types.   

In December 2016, SkyWest's dual class aircraft represented approximately 45% of SkyWest's total block hour production for the month compared to approximately 42% for the month of December 2015.       

SkyWest reported 1,938,492 block hours for the 2016 year, compared to 2,074,804 block hours for the 2015 year, a decrease of 136,312, or 6.6%.  This net change was primarily driven by approximately 93,300 additional block hours from its E175 aircraft and a decrease of approximately 229,600 block hours from its other aircraft types.

SkyWest had 89,553 departures in December 2016 compared to 96,315 in December 2015, or a 7.0% decrease.  SkyWest generated 2.71 billion available seat miles (ASMs) for December 2016, compared to 2.90 billion ASMs for December 2015, or a 6.4% decrease. Additional flight statistics for December, including passengers enplaned, revenue passenger miles, and passenger load factors, are included in the accompanying table.

About SkyWest

SkyWest, Inc. is the holding company for two scheduled passenger airline operations and an aircraft leasing company and is headquartered in St. George, Utah. SkyWest's airline companies provide commercial air service in cities throughout North America with more than 3,000 scheduled daily flights carrying nearly 57 million passengers annually. SkyWest Airlines operates through partnerships with United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, American Airlines and Alaska Airlines. ExpressJet Airlines operates through partnerships with United Airlines, Delta Air Lines and American Airlines. Based in St. George, Utah, SkyWest continues to set the standard for excellence in the regional industry with unmatched value for customers, shareholders and its nearly 20,000 employees. This press release and additional information regarding SkyWest can be accessed at inc.skywest.com.

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SOURCE SkyWest, Inc.