Topic of the Week: SkyWest Buys Japanese

I think the timing was definitely interesting with this coming on the tails of the DL pilot accord. EV/OO is going to have to drop a ton of CRJ1/2s over the next 3 years for DL to be compliant with the pilot agreement. DL is going to be placing 100+ new 65/76 seaters so maybe DL already has an agreement with OO/EV to handle a lot of this flying in exchange for dropping CRJ1/2s.

They had to get a good deal as this allows entry into the USA which is always stated as being the largest travel market.

I always see people complaining about CRJ more then EMBs, so if Mitsubishi has a better product them Bombardier it could mean more orders from U.S. carriers.

Well the CRJ-1000 was a result of Bombardier’s short term anxiety about CSeries sales. Once CSeries goes through to enough customers they really don’t care about the CRJ-1000 that much. SuperJet is a little too big for scope clauses and being Russian doesn’t help US sales.

The real loser is Embraer as the MRJ is its direct competitor. SkyWest must have gotten a great deal on this one.

Could this be in part because Delta wants to have a more mainline-like regional experience? They’ve been pushing so hard in that direction that I could see them having a strong preference for the larger cabin RJs.

The MRJ-90 is a touch bigger (two rows, about) than the CRJ-900. To get it to fit scope at 76 seats would require a lot of wasted space. I suspect the order was made in anticipation of having scope relaxed somewhere else – perhaps American? Would the MRJ-70 be a worthwhile buy for a regional if scope ultimately prohibits the MRJ-90 and presumptive -100?

It could also be a negotiating ploy against BBD. Remember that SkyWest is facing considerable engine overhaul costs and will likely have to take early lease terminations on some -200s. BBD considers themselves still in the running for the SkyWest refleeting and might have to offer exceptionally good terms in dealing with those engine and lease costs to win future orders.

Flying aint what it used to be!!!! When will they all shut down and go away? Who cares what they get Most of the regional carriers like Pinnacle dont keep enough equipment on site for maintenance any way. You can check Memphis FSDO on Pinnacle….