SkyWest to acquire 22 new regional jets

ST. GEORGE — SkyWest Inc. announced it will acquire 22 additional regional jet aircraft, allowing it to retire 23 turboprop planes.

Eighteen of the jet aircraft, each seating 66 people, will be used for United Express flights. The turboprops seat 30 passengers.

SkyWest said it also will swap four 50-seat jet planes for four 76-seaters under its Delta Connection banner. It has not yet selected a manufacturer for the aircraft.

The new regional jet aircraft to be added will operate under existing agreements for a term of 10 to 13 years. SkyWest Inc. said that all of the new capacity will be operated by SkyWest Airlines Inc.

SkyWest Inc. operates St. George-based SkyWest Airlines and Atlanta-based ASA. They serve 236 cities in the United States, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean with 2,637 daily flights.