ST 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.

SKYWEST, INC. MARCH FLIGHT STATISTICS

Block Hour Summary:
Month Month Month YTD YTD YTD
By Fleet: March 2016 March 2015 % Change March 2016 March 2015 % Change
CRJ200 55,422 59,411 (6.7) 156,758 165,946 (5.5)
CRJ700 37,482 37,967 (1.3) 106,981 108,504 (1.4)
CRJ900 18,226 18,294 (0.4) 52,325 50,526 3.6
ERJ135/145 44,728 58,274 (23.2) 127,694 161,825 (21.1)
E175 15,785 7,261 117.4 43,114 19,000 126.9
EMB-120 – 2,616 (100.0) – 10,973 (100.0)
Total Block Hours 171,643 183,823 (6.6) 486,872 516,774 (5.8)

Month Month Month YTD YTD YTD
By Airline: March 2016 March 2015 % Change March 2016 March 2015 % Change
SkyWest Airlines 95,573 89,749 6.5 271,536 255,396 6.3
ExpressJet Airlines 76,070 94,074 (19.1) 215,336 261,378 (17.6)
Total Block Hours 171,643 183,823 ( 6.6) 486,872 516,774 ( 5.8)

Other Flight Statistics:
Month Month Month YTD YTD YTD
March 2016 March 2015 % Change March 2016 March 2015 % Change
Departures 101,895 109,265 (6.7) 286,475 304,599 (6.0)
Available Seat Miles 3,007,549,167 3,136,026,987 (4.1) 8,506,354,926 8,692,116,453 (2.1)
Revenue Passenger Miles 2,459,785,015 2,587,486,590 (4.9) 6,721,215,508 6,967,911,196 (3.5)
Passengers 4,670,754 4,896,859 (4.6) 12,668,546 13,190,537 (4.0)
Load Factor 81.8 82.5 (0.7) pts 79.0 80.2 (1.2) pts