SkyWest Replacing Smaller CRJ Planes for Larger Ones from Delta

SkyWest Airlines

SkyWest, Inc. has reached agreement with Delta Air Lines on a deal which provides SkyWest with 34 more dual-class regional jets and calls for early termination of its Delta Connection operating contracts for 66 single-class Bombardier CRJ200s.

The 34 additional aircraft consist of five 65-seat Bombardier CRJ700s and 29 76-seat Bombardier CRJ900 regional jets.

Both of SkyWest, Inc.’s operating subsidiaries – St. George, Utah-based SkyWest Airlines and Atlanta-based ExpressJet Airlines – have Delta Connection operations and both operate substantial numbers of Bombardier CRJ-family jets, so either or both could end up operating the aircraft which SkyWest is getting from Delta.

The 34 aircraft will come from the fleet of Delta subsidiary Comair, which Delta is closing down on September 29. Among the aircraft in Comair’s fleet are 15 Bombardier CRJ700ER jets and 13 CRJ900ERs.

SkyWest expects to take delivery of the 34 aircraft between this month and June 2013.