ST. GEORGE, Utah, Nov. 9, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- SkyWest, Inc., (NASDAQ: SKYW) ("SkyWest") today reported 154,479 block hours in October 2017, compared to 159,241 block hours in October 2016, a decrease of 4,762 or 3.0%. 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 11,600 additional block hours from its E175 aircraft and a decrease of approximately 16,300 block hours from its other aircraft types.

In October 2017, SkyWest's dual class aircraft represented approximately 53% of SkyWest's total block hour production for the month compared to approximately 43% for the month of October 2016.

SkyWest reported 1,544,162 block hours for year-to-date October 2017, compared to 1,632,997 block hours year-to-date October 2016, a decrease of 88,835, or 5.4%. This net change was primarily driven by approximately 129,000 additional block hours from its E175 aircraft and a decrease of approximately 218,000 block hours from its other aircraft types.

SkyWest had 91,856 departures in October 2017 compared to 95,551 in October 2016, a decrease of 3,695, or 3.9%. Additional flight statistics for October are included in the accompanying table. SkyWest has discontinued providing available seat miles (ASMs) and revenue passenger miles (RPMs) in monthly traffic releases as ASMs and RPMs are not meaningful metrics in SkyWest's capacity purchase agreements and business model.

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