Oct. 9, 2000
SkyWest Airlines is announcing ten new flights and routes out of Salt Lake City.
But the real story is the trend of explosive growth for Utah's home-grown airline.
News Specialist John Hollenhorst reports.
It's not "little old SkyWest" anymore. Let's call it "the little airline that could."
It started in 1972 with one airplane flying between Salt Lake and St. George. But when they learned to play ball with the big boys, they grew up fast.
Veteran employees say SkyWest always had a family atmosphere. Everyone knew everyone else, from baggage handler to company president.
But the little company is really taking off.
Capt. John Borland/SkyWest pilot: "IT'S FUNNY. YOU SEE SOME OF THE OLDER GUYS IN THE CREW LOUNGE LOOKING AROUND FOR FRIENDLY FACES. AND THEY'RE ALL FRIENDLY. BUT THERE'S A LOT OF NEW FACES."
In Salt Lake alone, a handful of workers has grown into a work force of 1,000. That's expected to double in three years.
SkyWest now sends 1,000 flights a day into western skies. That will likely double too.
The St. George company struck pay dirt by striking deals with the big boys. SkyWest feeds passengers to United and Delta, by connecting small cities to big ones.
Jay Rice/Stock broker: "THEY NOW ARE THE SECOND LARGEST CARRIERS OUT OF L.A.X., NEXT TO UNITED THEMSELVES. THEY HAVE 195 FLIGHTS A DAY OUT OF L.A.X."
The latest announcements are Delta Connection flights out of Salt Lake.
One additional flight each day to Sun Valley, Jackson, Albuquerque, and St. George. Entirely new service to Minneapolis, Phoenix, Sacramento, and seasonal service to Palm Springs.
The company has an astounding shopping list. They currently have 95 prop-lanes and just 13 jets. But they've firmly ordered 53 new jets, and optioned 195 more.
A company that once had one plane, now has more than 1,000 pilots.
Jay Rice: "THEY ARE ABLE TO OBVIOUSLY MAKE A LITTLE BIT LARGER MARGIN BECAUSE THEY AREN'T COMPETING WITH SO MANY AIRLINES IN THOSE AREAS. SO IT'S BEEN VERY PROFITABLE FOR THEM."
As you might expect, the company stock looks pretty good. At a time when the NASDAQ is suffering, SkyWest stock is at or near an all-time high.
