SkyWest, Inc., (NASDAQ: SKYW) ("SkyWest") today reported 151,437 block hours in December 2017, compared to 156,788 block hours in December 2016, a decrease of 5,351 or 3.4%. The net decrease was consistent with SkyWest's fleet transition plan to improve the mix of aircraft in its fleet by adding new E175 aircraft, while reducing its 50-seat jets.

The year-over-year net change was primarily driven by approximately 9,000 additional block hours from its E175 aircraft and a decrease of approximately 14,400 block hours from its other aircraft types.

In December 2017, SkyWest's dual class aircraft represented approximately 53% of SkyWest's total block hour production for the month compared to approximately 45% for the month of December 2016.

SkyWest reported 1,839,779 block hours for year-to-date December 2017, compared to 1,938,492 block hours year-to-date December 2016, a decrease of 98,713, or 5.1%. This net change was primarily driven by approximately 148,200 additional block hours from its E175 aircraft and a decrease of approximately 246,900 block hours from its other aircraft types.

SkyWest had 84,936 departures in December 2017 compared to 89,553 in December 2016, a decrease of 4,617, or 5.2%. Additional flight statistics for December are included in the accompanying table. SkyWest has discontinued providing available seat miles (ASMs) and revenue passenger miles (RPMs) in its monthly traffic releases as ASMs and RPMs are not meaningful metrics in SkyWest's capacity purchase agreements and business model.