Skywest sees continued improvement in Q2

SkyWest Airlines saw continued improvement in Q2 2021, and expects to reach pre-pandemic flying levels by the first part of 2022. The St. George, Utah-based regional airline posted a Q2 profit of $62m, compared to a loss of $26m in the same quarter a year ago as the industry was hit by the global health crisis. Operating revenue was $657m, up from $350m in the same period in 2020, the airline tells analysts on its quarterly earnings call on 29 July. But that figure is still 12% lower than revenue posted in the pre-pandemic Q2 of 2019. “We are pleased to see continued demand improvement and look forward to returning to pre-Covid levels by the beginning of 2022,” says CE Chip Childs. “We are excited to resume new aircraft deliveries in the third quarter, with 29 new E175 aircraft by the first half of 2023.” SkyWest, which operates aircraft under fixed contracts for United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, American Airlines and Alaska Airlines, had 478 aircraft in operation on 30 June, up from 452 at the end of 2020. Completed block hours during the second quarter of 2021 were 13% lower than in the second quarter of 2019. “SkyWest also provided temporary rate reductions to its major airline partners under its flying contracts during Q2 2021 and Q2 2020 in response to the Covid-19 demand disruption impact to its partners,” the airline says.<br/>