I don't quite understand this? Why not lease direct from the leasing company Avation? Wouldn't it be cheaper to do so, than go through a third party?
Because that is how Skywest's owners makes money. They have a company that owns all the aircraft and leases them out at a higher than market rate. That way they make all their profits out of leasing aircraft and as a result Skywest don't make alot of money. So come EBA time the company cries poor claiming that 'times are tough' for Skywest. Meanwhile the owners are cleaning up on the lease of the aircraft.
Smart way of operating really.