According to an analysis by the consulting firm Zwelbar-Zhong, U.S. airlines are slated to operate 43% fewer departures this March using small regional jets than they did in March 2019, even as departures for 70- to 76-seat regional jets as well as mainline aircraft are at least 90% recovered. Also telling: regional 50-seat departures had recovered to 67% of the 2019 level by July, before that recovery came to a sudden, and thus far lasting, halt.

To a degree, the pullback is reflective of a long-term industry trend away from 50-seat flying. The planes require two pilots, just like larger 76-seat regional jets, but their smaller size reduces revenue potential.

Broader reductions

SkyWest offered some guidance on its 2022 outlook when it provided its fourth-quarter results last week. Citing staffing challenges, the airline anticipated a reduction in its block hours in 2022 to be down around 10-15% compared to its 2021 block hours.

Robert Simmons, Chief Financial Officer at SkyWest, stated the following on the carrier's fourth-quarter earnings call:
"We expect block hour production in 2022 to be down 10 to 15% from 2021 production, related to the staffing imbalance as we focus on growing our ERJ fleet and pulling down some of our CRJ fleet. The staffing challenges related to COVID, mix, and attrition have extended our COVID transition for another year or two."