Airline unions accuse SkyWest of evading safety rules by seeking charter status for flights

Airline unions are fighting a request by SkyWest Airlines to operate some flights as charters, accusing the company of trying to evade safety rules for passenger airlines. SkyWest is not a familiar name to most air travelers, but it is one of many small carriers that operate flights for American Eagle, United Express and Delta Connection. The Utah-based company asked the US DoT for permission to operate new flights under less-restrictive charter-airline rules if it limits planes to 30 seats. Significantly, charter pilots do not need as much experience as pilots on scheduled airline flights. Under a rule that Congress passed after a 2009 crash that killed 50 people, most candidates for airline jobs need 1,500 hours of flight time — fewer hours only if they have military experience or a degree from an accredited aviation school. Charter pilots also aren’t required to retire at 65, like airline pilots. “If approved, the SkyWest scheme would gut the safety rule, make flying less safe, and reward them with taxpayer funding,” Jason Ambrosi, president of the Air Line Pilots Association, said Tuesday. SkyWest says it plans to use pilots who hold airline-standard licenses for the charter flights. The company says charter service is the only way to preserve flights to many smaller communities that major airlines no longer serve. SkyWest says 82% of communities in the taxpayer-subsidized Essential Air Service program are served only by charters.<br/>