SkyValue

Infobox_Airline
airline=SkyValue

logo_size=300
fleet_size=1
destinations=5
IATA=XP
ICAO=CXP
callsign=RUBY MOUNTAIN
parent=Sky Value Ltd.
founded=December 15, 2006
ceased=May 6, 2007
headquarters=Fort Lauderdale, Florida
key_people=Robert Masson (President)
Darrell Richardson (CEO)
Donald Millroy (COO)
Gabrielle Griswold (Senior Executive Vice President)
hubs=Gary/Chicago International Airport
focus_cities=
frequent_flyer=
lounge=
alliance=
website= http://www.flyskyvalue.com

SkyValue, formally known as SkyValue USA, was a seasonal American low-cost airline that was headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and for the 2006-07 winter season, its only season of operations, operated from a hub at Gary/Chicago International Airport (GYY) in Gary, Indiana, which lies 25 miles southeast of the Chicago Loop. [http://www.flyskyvalue.com]

History

On October 13, 2006, Sky Value USA, a US tour operator, announced that it would begin flights in December from Gary/Chicago International Airport to five "sunny" locations. Service from December 15, 2006, to April 2007 was to be offered as a test run, with service to continue if it was proved successful. SkyValue was operated as a "scheduled charter" service, with aircraft wet leased from Xtra Airways.

On January 4, 2007, SkyValue announced that service from Gary was such a success that their schedule would become year-round. Also, the same announcement indicated that additional routes were to be expected soon, with a Los Angeles airport on the airline's top priority list.

SkyValue's problems began when they pulled scheduled service to/from Fort Lauderdale (due to lacking passenger demand). However, at the same time, the airline added a 3^rd weekly flight from its hub at Gary/Chicago International Airport to the airline's most popular destination, Mesa, Arizona which is located in the Phoenix area. A continuation from Mesa to a Los Angeles airport (most likely LA/Ontario International Airport) had been being discussed and was, at the time, a top priority for SkyValue.

In March 2007, SkyValue announced their new Summer Schedule, with flights now being offered until October 31, 2007. In addition, SkyValue had decided to return their 737-800 to Xtra Airways on April 23, 2007 in exchange for a 737-400, which would have also been wet-leased. This new aircraft included a business class section. [ [http://www.nwitimes.com/articles/2007/03/03/business/business/doceb636b8db8b156d986257292007d55d7.txt SkyValue changes aircraft] ]

On April 27, 2007, SkyValue announced they would be ending service to all destinations on May 6, 2007, citing their aircraft, the Boeinig 737-400 would need re-fueling stops during hot weather to/from Las Vegas and Mesa/Phoenix, as well as poor public demand over summer months. [ [http://www.post-trib.com/news/361971,skyvalue.article SkyValue ends summer service] ] In the same announcement, however, the airline stated it hoped to resume service next winter. As of May, the plans for adding service to southern California (LA/Ontario International Airport) had ended.

SkyValue would not return for the 2007/2008 winter season, and Xtra Airways, the airline that leased SkyValue their planes, is now suing the airline for $2.2 Million, for unpaid expenses.

Destinations

During the 2006-07 winter season, SkyValue flew to 5 destinations throughout the United States. [ [http://www.thetimesonline.com/articles/2007/08/10/business/business/doca9f793a56a5b8dac8625733200690473.txt SkyValue 2006-07 winter destinations] ]

United States

Arizona

*Phoenix/Mesa (Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport) "winter-only seasonal service"

Florida

*Orlando (Orlando International Airport)
*St. Petersburg/Clearwater (St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport)

Indiana

*Gary (Gary/Chicago International Airport) Hub

Nevada

*Las Vegas (McCarran International Airport)

Schedule

During its only year of operation, SkyValue operated the following schedule:

Fleet

Retired Fleet

When SkyValue began scheduled passenger service on December 15, 2006, they originally operated a Boeing 737-800 aircraft which was wet leased from Xtra Airways. The airline kept this aircraft until April 23, 2007, when the 737-800 (in all economy class configuration) was returned to Xtra Airways for a smaller Boeing 737-400 aircraft (in a business/economy class configuration). SkyValue has optioned for a year-long lease on the 737-400 which expires in April 2008, [ [http://www.nwitimes.com/articles/2007/03/03/business/business/doceb636b8db8b156d986257292007d55d7.txt SkyValue options for 737-400] ] and there are no current plans to bring back the 737-800.

References

External links

* [http://www.flyskyvalue.com/ SkyValue Official Website]
* [http://www.flyskyvalue.com/schedule.html SkyValue Routes]
* [http://www.skyvalue.co.uk/ Sky Value Limited Official Website]
* [http://www.xtraairways.com/ Xtra Airways Official Website]