SkyWest forges $4.2 billion agreement for 100 MRJs

By Christine Boynton | July 11, 2012


SkyWest Inc. on Wednesday signed an agreement in principle with Mitsubishi Aircraft Corp. for 100 Mitsubishi Regional Jets (MRJ). The deal is valued at $4.2 billion at list prices, and Mitsubishi president Hideo Egawa said he is “hoping to conclude a firm agreement as soon as possible maybe within a few weeks.”

Deliveries are planned to begin in 2017 and conclude by the end of 2020.

“SkyWest remains committed to providing innovative leadership within the regional airline industry,” SkyWest president Bradford Rich said. “This agreement is the product of a cooperative partnership that we are confident will create long-term value for both parties.”

Utah-based SkyWest is a holding company for SkyWest Airlines and ExpressJet Airlines and operates as United Airlines, Alaska Airlines, Delta Air Lines and US Airways. It operates a fleet of 725 regional aircraft.

The MRJ has so far received 70 firm orders, which would jump to 170 following a completion of a firm contract with SkyWest.

“We’re working very closely together on this program to ensure success,” Pratt and Whitney president commercial engines Todd Kallman told journalists at the Farnborough Airshow. “Testing on the PW1200G ... is going very well.” It yesterday announced the engine had completed its first flight test program (ATW Daily News, July 10). “The engine program is on track for certification next year,” Kallman said.

 

Nope. Someone already did...All those MRJ's will look so pretty in Delta colors...

 

Yep: DAL passes a T/A allowing more large RJs and a week later SkyWest announces an order for 100 70/90 seat jets.

I hope you guys are taking notes!

 

yes, you 2can be an RJ pilot for your entire career. If you got hired with a regional in the last 6 to 8 years, you will likely be there another 4 to 8 years.

even better news you can make absolutely nothing in the way of earnings. Actually, even better still, you can pay for the priviledge of flying.........

this career is all jeffed up.

 

No, the 50 seat RJs at Delta are being traded UP for CR9s,(almost 3 for 1) with the manufacturer. Those MRJs are probably for UAL or AA. While you're at it, please work your own stuff out too between your MECs, you don't want to end up like the USAir guys, do you? Heck no!

 

Go on this website and look at the retirement numbers starting in about 2-3 years. When 700 guys leave off the top at any legacy, it creates huge movement within the ranks, and huge hiring. I don't think fewer people are flying these days, it will only increase. Try not to stress out too much. This last decade was unprecedented. First 9-11, then bankruptcies, then age 65 change. Good changes for us coming up are the new rest/fatigue rules, and hiring minimums that start in a couple years.

 

These are to replace current jets they have not for growth.

 

Thanks for your interest in our MEC politics. Very touching.

If we cave on scope, I would envision USAir looking like Haight-Ashbury during the summer of 67 compared to rage many will feel here.

 

Really? What colors will they be flying under? I wasn't aware that the employee contracts at any airlines Skywest partners with would allow the current rj fleet to be replaced with an aircraft of that size.

 

Uh, well Skywest currently flies CRJ-700's for both United and Delta.