GEORGE, Utah – SkyWest, Inc today reported 171,643 block hours in March 2016, compared to 183,823 block hours in March 2015, a decrease of 12,180, or 6.6%. The net decrease was consistent with SkyWest’s fleet transition plan to improve the mix of aircraft in its fleet by adding new dual class aircraft to its fleet, while reducing its 50-seat and 30-seat aircraft.
The year-over-year net change was primarily driven by approximately 8,000 additional block hours from its dual class aircraft (E175s, CRJ700s and CRJ900s) and a decrease of approximately 20,200 block hours from fewer 50-seat jet (CRJ200s and ERJ135s/145s) and 30-seat turboprop (EMB-120) aircraft.
In March 2016, SkyWest’s dual class aircraft represented approximately 42% of SkyWest’s total block hour production for the month compared to approximately 35% for the month of March 2015.
SkyWest reported 486,872 block hours for year-to-date March 2016, compared to 516,774 block hours year-to-date March 2015, a decrease of 29,902, or 5.8%. This net change was primarily driven by approximately 24,400 additional block hours from its dual class aircraft and a decrease of approximately 54,300 block hours from fewer 50-seat jet and 30-seat turboprop aircraft.
SkyWest had 101,895 departures in March 2016 compared to 109,265 in March 2015, a decrease of 7,370, or 6.7%. SkyWest generated 3.01 billion available seat miles (ASMs) for March 2016, compared to 3.14 billion ASMs for March 2015, or a 4.1% decrease. Additional flight statistics for March, including passengers enplaned, revenue passenger miles, and passenger load factors, are included in the accompanying table.
