David Eyre
10 April 2012
Virgin Australia is to invest $8 million in WA-based Skywest Airlines, equating to approximately 10% of Skywest.
Skywest already operates a fleet of ATR72 aircraft with Virgin Australia branding on Virgin’s regional routes in the eastern states, and these services have grown significantly since their launch in October 2011. The ATR72 fleet will be increased from the current four aircraft to 12 by the end of the 2013 financial year.
Skywest also has code-sharing agreements with Virgin Australia and vice versa. Their route networks are largely complementary, with Virgin Australia operating intra-state and inter-state domestic services and international services, while Skywest operates intra-state and FIFO/resources industry charter services in Western Australia.
