SkyWest, Inc. Announces Third Quarter 2026 Profit

Passenger volumes declined despite higher flying activity, while share repurchases continued alongside aircraft investment.

See more from StockTitan in Google Search and AI answers. Adds StockTitan as a preferred source · opens Google

Add on Google Not now

• Q3 2026 pre-tax income of $159 million, up from $157 million in Q3 2025 and up sequentially from $139 million in Q2 2026
• Q3 2026 diluted earnings per share of $3.08, up from $2.81 in Q3 2025 and up sequentially from $2.54 in Q2 2026
• SkyWest took delivery of four new E175 aircraft in Q3 2026 under a previously announced agreement with United Airlines

ST. GEORGE, Utah--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- SkyWest, Inc. (NASDAQ: SKYW) (“SkyWest”) today reported financial and operating results for Q3 2026, including net income of $120 million, or $3.08 per diluted share, compared to net income of $116 million, or $2.81 per diluted share, for Q3 2025. The Q3 2026 financial results were negatively impacted by higher fuel cost per gallon in SkyWest’s prorate business compared to Q3 2025 and Q2 2026.

Commenting on the results, Chip Childs, President and Chief Executive Officer of SkyWest, said, “Our results reflect the value we provide to our customers, including our ongoing opportunities to invest in the fleet. We are well positioned to continue the growth of our E175 fleet in the coming years, enhancing the resiliency of our model for the benefit of our people, our customers and our shareholders. I want to thank our team for their hard work during this busy summer.”

Financial Results

Revenue was $1.12 billion in Q3 2026, up $67 million, or 6%, from $1.05 billion in Q3 2025. SkyWest’s Q3 2026 block hour production increased 5% compared to Q3 2025, driven by more aircraft in scheduled service and strong overall demand. Block hour production in Q3 2026 was also up 1% sequentially from Q2 2026.

Operating expenses were $941 million in Q3 2026, up $65 million, or 7%, from $876 million in Q3 2025, driven by an expected increase in incremental direct operating costs associated with higher production and an increase in the cost per gallon for prorate fuel in Q3 2026 compared to Q3 2025 and Q2 2026. In Q3 2026, SkyWest revised the estimated useful life of its E175 fleet to 30 years, which reduced depreciation expense in Q3 2026 compared to Q3 2025 and Q2 2026.

Capital and Liquidity

SkyWest had $569 million in cash and marketable securities at September 30, 2026, compared to $707 million at December 31, 2025.

Total debt at September 30, 2026 was $2.4 billion, up from $2.3 billion at June 30, 2026, reflecting $119 million in principal debt payments and $187 million in new debt issued during Q3 2026, and was flat compared to December 31, 2025. Capital expenditures and aircraft deposits during Q3 2026 were $163 million for the purchase of four new E175 aircraft, spare engines, and other fixed assets.

SkyWest repurchased 738,000 shares of its common stock for approximately $75 million during Q3 2026. As of September 30, 2026, SkyWest had approximately $238 million of remaining availability under its existing stock repurchase program.

Commercial Agreements

The table below summarizes anticipated E175 aircraft deliveries during the periods indicated based on currently available information, which is subject to change. During the first nine months of 2026, SkyWest had six E175 aircraft deliveries, one for Alaska Airlines (“Alaska”) and five for United Airlines (“United”), which are reflected in the table below.

		2026		2027		2028		Thereafter		Total
United		8		ꟷ		ꟷ		ꟷ		8
Delta Air Lines		ꟷ		11		5		ꟷ		16
American		4		7		ꟷ		ꟷ		11
Alaska		1		ꟷ		ꟷ		ꟷ		1
Unassigned		ꟷ		ꟷ		5		28		33
Total		13		18		10		28		69

By the end of 2027, SkyWest anticipates having over 300 E175 aircraft in its fleet. As previously announced, SkyWest entered into a purchase agreement with Embraer, which secures delivery positions for 33 additional E175s from 2028 through 2031 for potential future flying opportunities. SkyWest’s purchase agreement with Embraer also includes purchase rights for 50 additional E175s from Embraer, as previously announced.

About SkyWest

SkyWest, Inc. is the holding company for SkyWest Airlines, Inc., SkyWest Charter, LLC (“SWC”) and SkyWest Leasing, Inc., an aircraft equipment leasing company. SkyWest Airlines has a fleet of approximately 500 aircraft connecting passengers to over 240 destinations throughout North America. SkyWest Airlines operates through partnerships with United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, and Alaska Airlines carrying more than 46 million passengers in 2025.

SkyWest will host its conference call to discuss its third quarter 2026 results today, October 29, 2026, at 2:30 p.m. Mountain Time. The conference call number is 1-833-461-5787 for domestic callers, and 1-585-542-9983 for international callers. Please call up to ten minutes in advance to ensure you are connected prior to the start of the call. The conference call will also be available live on the Internet at https://events.q4inc.com/attendee/862394355. This press release and additional information regarding SkyWest, including access information for the digital rebroadcast of the third quarter 2026 results call, participation at investor conferences and investor presentations can be accessed at inc.skywest.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

In addition to historical information, this release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as “forecasts,” “expects,” “intends,” “believes,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “should,” “likely” and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. Such statements include, but are not limited to, statements about the continued demand for our product, the effect of economic conditions on SkyWest’s business, financial condition and results of operations, SkyWest’s plans with respect to share repurchases, the timing of scheduled aircraft deliveries, including with respect to aircraft for which SkyWest holds firm delivery positions or purchase rights, the transition of the new E175 aircraft to replace existing aircraft in SkyWest’s fleet and the timing thereof, transition of SkyWest’s CRJ200 fleet to the CRJ450 configuration, fleet expansion and anticipated fleet size for SkyWest in upcoming periods, expected production levels in future periods, SkyWest’s coordination with major airline partners regarding the delivery of aircraft under previously announced agreements and timing of placing new aircraft deliveries into service, increasing the utilization and efficiency of all fleet types as well as SkyWest’s future financial and operating results, plans, objectives, expectations, estimates, intentions and outlook, including SkyWest’s plans to continue investing to grow its E175 fleet, and other statements that are not historical facts. All forward-looking statements included in this release are made as of the date hereof and are based on information available to SkyWest as of such date. SkyWest assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements unless required by law. Readers should note that many factors could affect the future operating and financial results of SkyWest and could cause actual results to vary materially from those expressed in forward-looking statements set forth in this release. These factors include, but are not limited to: the challenges of competing successfully in a highly competitive and rapidly changing industry; developments associated with fluctuations in the economy and the demand for air travel, including related to inflationary pressures, and related decreases in customer demand and spending; uncertainty regarding potential future outbreaks of infectious diseases or other health concerns, and the consequences of such outbreaks to the travel industry, including travel demand and travel behavior, and our major airline partners in general and the financial condition and operating results of SkyWest in particular; the prospects of entering into agreements with existing or other carriers to fly new aircraft; uncertainty regarding timing and performance of key third-party service providers; ongoing negotiations between SkyWest and its major airline partners regarding their contractual obligations; uncertainties regarding operation of new aircraft; the ability to attract and retain qualified pilots, mechanics and other personnel in operations; the impact of regulatory issues such as pilot rest rules and qualification requirements; the ability to obtain aircraft financing; the financial stability of SkyWest’s major airline partners and any potential impact of their financial condition on the operations of SkyWest; fluctuations in flight schedules, which are determined by the major airline partners for whom SkyWest conducts flight operations; variations in market and economic conditions; significant aircraft debt commitments; estimated useful life of long-lived assets, residual aircraft values and related asset impairments; labor relations and costs; the impact of global instability; rapidly fluctuating fuel costs and potential fuel shortages; the impact of weather-related events, natural disasters and other air safety incidents on air travel and airline costs; aircraft deliveries; uncertainty regarding ongoing international hostilities, including those between Russia and Ukraine, Israel and Hamas, and Israel, the United States and Iran, and the related impacts on macroeconomic conditions, fuel costs and the international operations of any of our major airline partners as a result of such conflicts; the availability of parts used in connection with maintenance and repairs of the aircraft; the availability of suitable replacement aircraft for aging aircraft; the impact of enacted and proposed U.S. tariffs on global economic conditions and the financial markets, passenger demand, the cost of aircraft parts and supplies sourced internationally and the cost of service providers located outside of the United States; the impact of potential future U.S. government shutdowns on air traffic controller staffing, flight cancellations and federal Essential Air Service subsidies; the possibility that the stock repurchase program may be suspended or discontinued at any time; and other unanticipated factors. Risk factors, cautionary statements and other conditions which could cause SkyWest’s actual results to differ materially from management’s current expectations are contained in SkyWest’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K.

SkyWest, Inc. and Subsidiaries Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (Dollars and Shares in Thousands, Except per Share Amounts) (Unaudited)
		Three Months Ended								Nine Months Ended
		September 30,								September 30,
		2026				2025				2026				2025
OPERATING REVENUES:
Flying agreements		$	1,084,115			$	1,011,284			$	3,126,549			$	2,914,789
Lease, airport services and other			33,240				38,745				106,734				118,922
Total operating revenues			1,117,355				1,050,029				3,233,283				3,033,711
OPERATING EXPENSES:
Salaries, wages and benefits			429,747				391,634				1,278,677				1,159,188
Aircraft maintenance, materials and repairs			239,427				247,978				695,382				695,963
Depreciation and amortization			76,280				92,474				258,993				272,070
Aircraft fuel			66,303				34,216				165,770				86,163
Airport-related expenses			38,258				31,876				107,028				86,815
Other operating expenses			91,311				77,708				271,888				249,864
Total operating expenses			941,326				875,886				2,777,738				2,550,063
OPERATING INCOME			176,029				174,143				455,545				483,648
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):
Interest income			8,089				10,565				25,480				31,701
Interest expense			(24,635	)			(25,611	)			(74,026	)			(79,295	)
Other income (expense), net			4				(1,928	)			(888	)			4,949
Total other expense, net			(16,542	)			(16,974	)			(49,434	)			(42,645	)
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES			159,487				157,169				406,111				441,003
PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES			39,964				40,811				84,196				103,825
NET INCOME		$	119,523			$	116,358			$	321,915			$	337,178
BASIC EARNINGS PER SHARE		$	3.10			$	2.89			$	8.18			$	8.34
DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE		$	3.08			$	2.81			$	8.11			$	8.14
Weighted average common shares:
Basic			38,599				40,323				39,340				40,410
Diluted			38,824				41,392				39,703				41,447

SkyWest, Inc. and Subsidiaries Summary of Consolidated Balance Sheets (Dollars in Thousands) (Unaudited)
		September 30,			December 31,
		2026			2025
Cash and marketable securities		$	568,928		$	706,909
Other current assets			441,688			384,285
Total current assets			1,010,616			1,091,194
Property and equipment, net			5,966,559			5,742,968
Deposits on aircraft			94,155			100,000
Other long-term assets			437,416			452,087
Total assets		$	7,508,746		$	7,386,249
Current portion, long-term debt		$	645,911		$	546,812
Other current liabilities			1,109,087			1,120,796
Total current liabilities			1,754,998			1,667,608
Long-term debt, net of current maturities			1,718,949			1,845,272
Other long-term liabilities			1,224,693			1,126,936
Stockholders' equity			2,810,106			2,746,433
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity		$	7,508,746		$	7,386,249

SkyWest, Inc. and Subsidiaries Additional Operational Information (unaudited)
SkyWest’s fleet in scheduled service or under contract by aircraft type:
		September 30, 2026		December 31, 2025		September 30, 2025
E175 aircraft		276		270		265
E170 aircraft		5		—		—
CRJ900 aircraft		44		36		38
CRJ700 aircraft		67		82		86
CRJ550 aircraft		61		41		36
CRJ200 aircraft		69		58		73
Total aircraft in service or under contract		522		487		498
As of September 30, 2026, SkyWest leased 41 CRJ550s and one CRJ700 to third parties and had nine CRJ200s that are configured for service under SWC operations (these aircraft are excluded from the table above).

Selected operational data:
		For the three months ended September 30,										For the nine months ended September 30,
Block hours by aircraft type:		2026			2025			% Change				2026			2025			% Change
E175s		229,514			221,665			3.5		%		670,964			648,593			3.4		%
E170s		3,120			—			NM				4,611			—			NM
CRJ900s		30,725			24,270			26.6		%		89,458			69,929			27.9		%
CRJ700s		58,220			67,974			(14.3	)	%		174,396			200,037			(12.8	)	%
CRJ550s		33,325			17,884			86.3		%		85,898			45,224			89.9		%
CRJ200s		46,823			52,454			(10.7	)	%		136,029			148,888			(8.6	)	%
Total block hours		401,727			384,247			4.5		%		1,161,356			1,112,671			4.4		%
Departures		229,595			226,305			1.5		%		661,574			651,017			1.6		%
Passengers carried		11,993,721			12,446,270			(3.6	)	%		34,264,378			34,929,392			(1.9	)	%
Adjusted flight completion		99.9	%		99.9	%		—		pts		99.9	%		99.9	%		—		pts
Raw flight completion		98.9	%		99.1	%		(0.2	)	pts		98.3	%		98.8	%		(0.5	)	pts
Passenger load factor		81.0	%		84.0	%		(3.0	)	pts		79.8	%		82.0	%		(2.2	)	pts
Average trip length		462			457			1.1		%		464			457			1.5		%
NM = Not meaningful
Adjusted flight completion percent excludes weather cancellations. Raw flight completion includes weather cancellations.

Supplemental Cash Flow Information

SkyWest receives certain fixed monthly cash payments under its capacity purchase agreements (“CPAs”) that are attributed to SkyWest’s overhead costs and certain fixed monthly cash payments associated with SkyWest’s aircraft ownership costs. Fixed payments allocated to the non-lease portion are recognized as revenue on a completed block hour basis over the applicable contract term. Fixed payments allocated to the lease portion are accounted for as lease revenue under the CPAs and are recognized on a straight-line basis over the applicable contract term. Fixed monthly cash payments received in excess of revenue recognized during the reporting period are recorded as deferred revenue and revenue recognized in excess of fixed monthly cash payments during the reporting period is recorded as unbilled revenue on SkyWest’s consolidated balance sheet. The following supplemental cash flow schedule summarizes the total revenue recognized in excess of the fixed monthly cash received during the indicated reporting periods and the cumulative difference as of September 30, 2026 and December 31, 2025 (dollars in thousands, unaudited).

	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	September 30,						September 30,
	2026			2025			2026			2025
Revenue recognized in excess of fixed cash payments received	$	23,454		$	17,082		$	74,240		$	52,968

		As of September 30,			As of December 31,
		2026			2025
Cumulative fixed cash payments received in excess of revenue recognized, commonly referred to as "deferred revenue"		$	190,369		$	264,609

 

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20261029009572/en/

Investor Relations
435.634.3200
Investor.relations@skywest.com

Corporate Communications
435.634.3553
media@skywest.com

Source: SkyWest, Inc.

Key Terms

block hour production technical

Total block hours produced is the sum of an airline's or aircraft fleet’s block hours over a reporting period, where a block hour is the elapsed time from when an aircraft first moves under its own power for departure (block-out) until it comes to rest and the blocks are closed at arrival (block-in). It is used to measure operational output and utilization because it includes taxi time and all flown sectors (revenue and non‑revenue like positioning), distinct from airborne flight time or engine operating hours.

capacity purchase agreements financial

A capacity purchase agreement is a contract in which one party pays another to guarantee access to a set amount of service or production capacity—paying for availability rather than for each unit actually used. Think of it like leasing a reserved parking spot: the buyer pays to ensure the space is there when needed. For investors, these deals create predictable, often long-term revenue for providers while shifting demand risk to the buyer, affecting cash flow stability and credit exposure.

deferred revenue financial

Cash a company has already received for goods or services it has promised but not yet delivered; it's recorded as a liability because the company still owes that product, service, or future revenue recognition. For investors, deferred revenue signals upcoming work or deliveries that will convert into reported sales over time and affects short-term obligations, cash flow quality, and how quickly a firm can grow recognized revenue—think of it like prepaid subscriptions or gift cards a business must honor later.

View in glossary

unbilled revenue financial

Revenue a company has earned by performing work or delivering goods but has not yet invoiced the customer; it is recorded as an asset (often called a contract asset under modern revenue rules) because the company has a right to consideration once performance obligations are satisfied but billing has not occurred. Unbilled revenue differs from accounts receivable in that no invoice has been sent yet and the timing of conversion to an invoice depends on the contract’s billing terms or completion of agreed milestones; it can reverse if the underlying performance is undone or contract terms change.