Can anyone enlighten me to the current status in Skywest ?
 

Would appreciate an update on the position in Skywest viz a viz the Ansett situation. Are you operational at present?

Being far from home, in the wilds of Africa, this is about the best source of news in the aviation sector in Oz.

Thanks in anticipation. :cool:

Skywest are back in the air and have been for a while now, with the backing of WA government. Think they realised that WA aviation is shot without them.

I beg to differ with the above post.

Skywest has indeed been back in the air for about nine weeks, a total of 9 days on the ground.
The little twerp Gallop (laughingly called the premier of W.A.) did nothelp us inj any way, in fact he was more interested in Qantas taking over the state, aviation wise.
It was Federal Govt. aid in the form of a $3.5 million line of credit (repayable at commercial rates) that got us up again.
All that Gallop did was place obstacles in our way, a decision he will regret.

Finally a number of private individuals and consortiums have expressed interest in buying the airline (separate from Ansett) and that should happen in the next few weeks.

Lets hope Kerry Stokes bid will succeed and that Skywest will grow to jets

Jets?? I think not. Well at least definately not with Skywest. What possible influence could Kerry Stokes have on a jet purchase??
Hmm

Kerry owns Westrac the WA CATERPILLAR dealer.

Most WA traffic is mining related.

There is a lot of light and seriously heavy earthmoving gear in the mining industry.

Cat have serious competitors in Komatsu, Liehbherr, etc, etc.

Mining types would prefer jets to turboprop.

It would not hurt Kerry/Westrac if he was to upgrade the services.

Why should Skywest hope Kerry Stokes buys them when we have no information on any of the other prospective purchasers or even his plans.
Wouldn't it be best if the process ran its course and then the approriate bidder won, thus ensuring a better future for WA.
One thing is for certain though whoever gets Skywest is going to have to act fast to catch up with Qantaslink as they are rapidly expanding their services throughout WA and it is only time before they start to compete with Skywest on the Southwest runs as it seems that the WA government is firmly behing QF.
I wonder where the two new Q300's are going?

I dont think that jets will be a reality for Skywest, as most of the ports they operate into wont take any of the newer generation RJ's (except the RJX - which is alittle big for skywest traffic).

The CRJ and the ERJ are both CAT C with high tyre pressures, you will only be able to operate into YPPH, YGEL, YPLM, YPPD, YBRM, YCAR (I think) and YPKG.

I have heard that QF will be sending B717's to YPPH in the future, but this is some time off yet, there are too many other issues to resolve with the buying of Impulse as a who;;y owned subsid.

enjoy the F50's, your in'em for a while yet.


:D :D

Gaunty, I agree, the mining types do like jets. No doubt about it.
BUT, jets these days are being built for the European and US market, places with bigger runways and particular climates - not to mention demand. Places like Argyle, Karratha can handle jets... but even 146s struggle on hot and humid summer days. The ERJs for example just couldnt cope with the WA summer conditions.

Qanpulse hit the nail on the head in his comments.

The F50s are doing just fine for the types of routes they fly. Whats an extra 8-10 mins in time really worth when you are only flying into places like Leonora and Leinster.

My 2c