United will keep 50-seat CRJ-200 aircraft in its network longer under a new agreement with SkyWest.
The regional carrier disclosed the extension with its third-quarter results on Oct. 30, noting a “multi-year contract extension with United Airlines for up to 40 CRJ-200 aircraft.”
On the carrier’s earnings call, SkyWest chief commercial officer, Wade Steel, said, “Today, we announced an agreement with United to extend up to 40 CRJ-200s into the 2030s,” adding that “the 40 that were extended are all contract airplanes.”
These jets were initially set to expire at the end of this year, he continued.
He also added that SkyWest expects to be “flying somewhere around 100 CRJ-200s well into early 2030s” across contract, prorate, and charter activity.
SkyWest said its broader United flying continues to ramp up. As of Sept. 30, the company had 21 CRJ-550s under contract and expects to have 30 by year-end, with the remaining 20 of United’s 50-aircraft CRJ-550 program entering service in 2026.
Commenting on the quarter, SkyWest President and CEO Chip Childs said, “We continue to execute a balanced approach in deploying our capital and monetizing our CRJ fleet flexibility, which we believe will generate long-term value for our customers, our people and SkyWest. We remain optimistic regarding the strong demand for our product and regional flying opportunities in smaller communities.”
As of Sept. 30, SkyWest listed 73 CRJ-200s “in service or under contract,” part of a 498-aircraft fleet operated for United, Delta, American, and Alaska.
Both American and Delta have phased out the CRJ-200 from their fleets in recent years.
SkyWest is United’s only CRJ-200 operator. Last week, the Chicago-based airline added three new destinations to its route map, all of which will be served with the 50-seat regional jet.
