Virgin Australia Regional Airlines
- This is an article about an airline in Australia. For Skywest Airlines in North America see SkyWest.
| File:Skywest oz logo.gif | |||||||
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| Founded | 1963 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fleet size | 7 Fokker F50 6 Fokker F100 aircraft | ||||||
| Destinations | Albany, Bali, Broome, Carnarvon, Darwin, Esperance, Exmouth, Geraldton, Kalbarri, Kalgoorlie, Kununurra, Melbourne, Monkey Mia, Newman and Port Hedland | ||||||
| Headquarters | Perth, Western Australia, Australia | ||||||
| Key people | Paul Daff (CEO) Hugh Davin (M. Director) Jeff Chatfield (Exec. Chairman) | ||||||
| Website | http://www.skywest.com.au | ||||||
Skywest Airlines Pty Ltd is a regional airline company based in Perth, Australia servicing key towns in the state of Western Australia as well as charter flights to Bali, Indonesia. Their on-time performance average for 2007 was 82.66%.[1]
History
Skywest began service in 1963 as Carnarvon Air Taxis. The airline was owned by Ansett Australia, operating flights on their behalf, until Ansett's demise in 2002. Skywest was then successfully purchased by private investors. In 2004 it was the subject of a hostile takeover attempt by a Singapore-based investment company CapitveVision Capital Ltd, which succeeded in gaining a majority stake. On 8 February 2007, news broke that the airline may be the target of a tie-up with Singapore-based Tiger Airways,[2] although no business arrangements were ever concluded. Skywest Airlines Pty Ltd is ultimately owned by Singapore incorporated London Stock Exchange AIM market quoted Skywest Airlines Ltd (code SKYW.LN) who now own 100% of the airline. [3]
Fleet
- 0 Airbus A320 (2 on order)
- 7 Fokker 50
- 7 Fokker 100 (plus 1 on order)
Skywest currently operates a combined fleet of seven Fokker 50 and five Fokker 100 aircraft which are utilised for scheduled services as well as a range of charter requirements.
Skywest has recently announced the lease of four 180-seat A320s from Icelandic transport group Avion, which will mainly be used on fly-in/fly-out charter work.(October 2006 Australian Aviation Magazine)
Skywest has also announced to the London Stock Exchange the lease of a further Fokker 100 aircraft from Aircraft Leasing company Aviation PLC (AVAP.PZ) which will be used to expand its network.
Services are provided using the following aircraft:
| Registration | Aircraft Type | Serial No. | Delivery Date | Seating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| VH-FNJ | Fokker F100 | 11489 | 28 April 2004 | 100Y |
| VH-FNN | Fokker F100 | 11326 | 15 October 2007 | 100Y |
| VH-FNR | Fokker F100 | 11488 | 03 August 2004 | 100Y |
| VH-FNT | Fokker F100 | 11461 | 28 September 2007 | 100Y |
| VH-FNY | Fokker F100 | 11484 | 17 April 2005 | 100Y |
| VH-FNC | Fokker F100 | 11496 | 1 May 2008 | 100Y |
| VH-FN* | Fokker F100 | 11500 | 00 July 2008 | 100Y |
| VH-FNA | Fokker F50 | 20106 | 05 August 1995 | 46Y |
| VH-FNB | Fokker F50 | 20107 | 31 December 1995 | 46Y |
| VH-FND | Fokker F50 | 20129 | 08 December 1995 | 46Y |
| VH-FNE | Fokker F50 | 20212 | 16 September 2006 | 46Y |
| VH-FNF | Fokker F50 | 20200 | 10 December 2006 | 46Y |
| VH-FNH | Fokker F50 | 20113 | 05 October 1994 | 46Y |
| VH-FNI | Fokker F50 | 20114 | 09 September 1996 | 46Y |
| VH-FN* | Airbus A320 | **** | November 2008 | 150Y |
Services
Scheduled flights
As of August 2007, Skywest Airlines operates scheduled domestic flights from Perth to the following destinations:[4]
Contract flights
In addition to scheduled flights, Skywest has contracts with various mining companies to service the burgeoning Western Australian mining industry via regular air charter flights to remote minesites. These contracts include flights between:
- Perth to Telfer
- Geraldton to Parabadoo Via Brockman
- Perth to Argyle
- Perth and Windarling on behalf of Portman Iron Ore[6]
- Perth and The Granites minesite in the Tanami Desert on behalf of Newmont Tanami.[7]
International charters
Since 2004, Island Bound Holidays has chartered a Skywest Fokker 100 to undertake flights to Bali from Port Hedland and Broome.[8]
Loyalty Program
From the 1st of November 2007, Skywest Joined "Virgin Blue's" Loyalty Program Velocity Rewards. Passengers can Now earn points on qualifying Skywest Flights. Points are awarded at 1 Point per Mile flown, on Y class Fares, and .75 on all Additional Fares. [9]
Codeshare
Skywest and Virgin Blue are codesharing partners. Velocity Rewards members can also earn points on Skywest flights.
See also
External links
References
- ^ Skywest On-Time Performance Chart (accessed 2008-03-07)
- ^ Jetstar grows to tackle a Tiger, The Australian, 8 February 2007
- ^ Tiger to take on Jetstar, The Sydney Morning Herald, 8 February 2007
- ^ Skywest Airlines route map
- ^ [1] Skywest Announces Kalgoorlie to Melbourne Services
- ^ Skywest announces new mining contract
- ^ Skywest Formally Executes Three Year Agreement with Newmont Tanami Pty Ltd
- ^ Island Bound Holidays
- ^ Virgin Blue Media Release