Skywest Airlines

Infobox Airline
airline = Skywest

logo_size = 150
IATA = XR
ICAO = OZW
callsign = OZWEST
founded = 1963
Reward System = Velocity
headquarters = Perth, Western Australia, Australia
key_people = Paul Daff (CEO)
Hugh Davin (M. Director)
Jeff Chatfield (Exec. Chairman)
fleet_size = 7 Fokker F50
8 Fokker F100 aircraft
destinations = Albany, Bali, Broome, Carnarvon, Darwin, Esperance, Exmouth, Geraldton, Kalbarri, Kalgoorlie, Kununurra, Melbourne, Monkey Mia, Newman and Port Hedland
website = http://www.skywest.com.au

Skywest Airlines Pty Ltd is a regional airline company based in Perth, Australia servicing key towns in the state of Western Australia as well as charter flights to Bali, Indonesia.

History

Skywest began service in 1963 as Carnarvon Air Taxis. The airline was owned by Ansett Australia, operating flights on their behalf, until Ansett's demise in 2002. Skywest was then successfully purchased by private investors. In 2004 it was the subject of a hostile takeover attempt by a Singapore-based investment company CapitveVision Capital Ltd, which succeeded in gaining a majority stake. On 8 February 2007, news broke that the airline may be the target of a tie-up with Singapore-based Tiger Airways, [ [http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,21189872-23349,00.html Jetstar grows to tackle a Tiger, The Australian, 8 February 2007] ] although no business arrangements were ever concluded. Skywest Airlines Pty Ltd is ultimately owned by Singapore incorporated London Stock Exchange AIM market quoted Skywest Airlines Ltd (code SKYW.LN) who now own 100% of the airline. [ [http://www.smh.com.au/news/business/tiger-to-take-on-jetstar/2007/02/09/1170524239938.html Tiger to take on Jetstar, The Sydney Morning Herald, 8 February 2007] ]

Fleet

* 0 Airbus A320 (2 on order)
* 7 Fokker 50
* 7 Fokker 100 (plus 1 on order)

Skywest currently operates a combined fleet of seven Fokker 50 and seven Fokker 100 aircraft which are utilised for scheduled services as well as a range of charter services.

Skywest is also looking to purchase/lease through its parent company 2 Airbus A320s, which will mainly be used on [fly-in/fly-out charter workFact|date=August 2008.

Skywest has also announced to the London Stock Exchange the lease of a further Fokker 100 aircraft from Aircraft Leasing company Aviation PLC (AVAP.PZ) which will be used to expand its network.

Services are provided using the following aircraft:

Services

Scheduled flights

As of August 2007, Skywest Airlines operates scheduled domestic flights from Perth to the following destinations: [http://www.skywest.com.au/destinations.asp Skywest Airlines route map] ]

* Northern Territory
** Darwin (Darwin International Airport)
* Western Australia
** Albany
** Broome (Broome International Airport)
** Carnarvon
** Esperance
** Exmouth (Learmonth Airport)
** Geraldton
** Kalbarri
** Kalgoorlie
** Karratha
** Kununurra
** Monkey Mia
** Newman
** Perth (Perth Airport) "Main Hub"
** Port Hedland
* Victoria
** Melbourne (Melbourne Airport) via Kalgoorlie [ [http://www.skywest.com.au/home.asp?documentid=319 ] Skywest Announces Kalgoorlie to Melbourne Services ] [ends 3 November]

Contract flights

In addition to scheduled flights, Skywest has contracts with various mining companies to service the burgeoning Western Australian mining industry via regular air charter flights to remote minesites. These contracts include flights between:

* Perth to Telfer
* Geraldton to Paraburdoo via Brockman
* Perth to Argyle
* Perth to Fortescue Dave Forrest (Cloud Break) for Fortescue Metals
* Perth and Windarling on behalf of Portman Iron Ore [ [http://www.skywest.com.au/home.asp?documentid=286 Skywest announces new mining contract] ]
* Perth and The Granites minesite in the Tanami Desert on behalf of Newmont Tanami [ [http://www.skywest.com.au/home.asp?documentid=249 Skywest Formally Executes Three Year Agreement with Newmont Tanami Pty Ltd] ]

International charters

Since 2004, Island Bound Holidays has chartered a Skywest Fokker 100 to undertake flights to Bali from Port Hedland and Broome. [http://www.islandbound.com.au/flights.html Island Bound Holidays] ]

Loyalty Program

From the 1st of November 2007, Skywest joined Virgin Blue's loyalty program Velocity Rewards.Passengers can now earn points on qualifying Skywest flights. Velocity Points can be earned on all Skywest flights, excluding flights to and from Bali and charter flights. Points awarded vary from .5 per mile to 1 per mile, depending on fare class [http://www.virginblue.com.au/AboutUs/Media/NewsandPressReleases/P_002079.htm Virgin Blue Media Release] ]

Codeshare

Skywest and Virgin Blue are codesharing partners. Velocity Rewards members can also earn points on Skywest flights.

ee also

*Broome International Airport
*Perth Airport
*Regional airline

External links

* [http://www.skywest.com.au/ Official Skywest Airlines Website]
* [http://www.advent.com.sg/ Official Skywest Airlines Ltd Website, owner of Skywest]
* [http://www.sharecrazy.com/share2607share/share.php?disp=share&epic=SKYW shareprice of Skywest]

References

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