This is part of a larger plan by Skywest for the future. What's interesting is that this contract is for 3 years which incidently is about the time when Skywest plans on buying the new C-Series. Yup. you read that right. Not announced yet of course. Jerry has been talking about doing branded flying for awhile and he's one of 4 CEOs that talked Bombardier into not cancelling the C-Series project. Gee, why would he do that?
Jerry I've heard say that the days of the codeshare agreements of the past that Skywest and other regionals have been able to make money hand over fist is gone. He feels if Skywest doesn't expand into other areas it'll become extinct eventually. Skywest has been doing alot of at-risk flying for Delta and UAL over the last 2 years but no ones noticed. Looks like Republic and Skywest, Inc will be way ahead of everyone and may the only two left standing.