SkyWest, Inc., (NASDAQ: SKYW) ("SkyWest") today reported 145,234 block hours in September 2017, compared to 154,095 block hours in September 2016, a decrease of 8,861 or 5.8%. 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 12,100 additional block hours from its E175 aircraft and a decrease of approximately 21,000 block hours from its other aircraft types.

In September 2017, SkyWest's dual class aircraft represented approximately 54% of SkyWest's total block hour production for the month compared to approximately 42% for the month of September 2016.

SkyWest reported 1,389,684 block hours for year-to-date September 2017, compared to 1,473,756 block hours year-to-date September 2016, a decrease of 84,072, or 5.7%. This net change was primarily driven by approximately 118,000 additional block hours from its E175 aircraft and a decrease of approximately 202,000 block hours from its other aircraft types.

SkyWest had 87,188 departures in September 2017 compared to 93,140 in September 2016, a decrease of 5,952, or 6.4%. Additional flight statistics for September 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.