Summary

  • SkyWest Airlines opening a new crew base at AUS will strengthen the airport’s position as a major hub in Central Texas.
  • The move benefits both Skywest’s operations and AUS, promising a smoother flying experience for Midwest travelers.
  • The base will primarily support Delta’s Embraer E175 crews, with a temporary space launching in June.

American regional airline Skywest Airlines will open a new flight crew base at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS). The airline currently has a large presence at the airport thanks to its operations with United and Delta.

SkyWest Airlines operates more than 255 destinations through partnerships with major airlines under brands. It operates in the following capacity with its partners:

  • American Eagle: 19% of departures, 93 destinations
  • Delta Connection: 31% of departures, 134 destinations
  • United Express: 40% of departures, 181 destinations
  • Alaska Skywest: 10% of departures, 40 destinations

10 of these destinations operated as Delta Connection and United Express originate from AUS.

Excitement from AUS

Management at AUS first announced the decision on May 30th. The base will be Skywest’s 20th crew base. Skywest’s creation of the base at the airport hints at the possibility of the airport becoming a larger part of the puzzle. AUS certainly believes the move will help strengthen its position as a major aviation hub in Central Texas.

N603SK SkyWest Airlines Mitsubishi CRJ-701ER (1)

Photo: Vincenzo Pace I Simple Flying

Delta has already launched three routes from AUS this year, with flights to McAllen, Midland/Odessa, and Nashville.

Ghizlane Badawi, CEO of Austin-Bergstrom, had this to say in a statement about the new base opening:

“We are thrilled to welcome SkyWest’s flight crews to Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. The addition of AUS as a crew base supports the continued growth and vitality of our Airport. This new crew base will not only benefit SkyWest’s operations but will also further our AUS’s rising role as an airport of national significance as we continue to grow to meet the needs of our airline partners and travelers.”

AUS acts as a gateway to millions of travelers connecting to the Midwest. Creating a crew base for one of the largest regional airlines in the world promises a boost for local employment and a smoother flying experience for passengers who frequently choose to fly to Austin.

Skywest

As mentioned, Skywest’s presence at AUS is based on Delta and United. However, the base will primarily support the former’s Embraer E175 crews. The airline will launch a temporary space at the airport in June, while a permanent space is expected to open later this year.

2MP_of_American Eagle by SkyWest E175 Lifting Off_01

Photo: Joe Kunzler | Simple Flying

Greg Wooley, SkyWest’s Executive Vice President of Operations, also spoke about the move, saying:

“We’re excited to open SkyWest’s 20th crew domicile at AUS in June. SkyWest’s crew members enjoy more opportunity and flexibility than those at any other regional, and we look forward to continuing to improve and enhance our operations at AUS and beyond.”

Skywest currently has eleven hubs (denoted in bold) and a total of 19 crew domicile locations:

  • Atlanta
  • Boise
  • Chicago O’Hare
  • Colorado Springs
  • Dallas-Fort Worth
  • Denver
  • Detroit
  • Fresno
  • Houston
  • Los Angeles
  • Minneapolis/St. Paul
  • Palm Springs
  • Phoenix
  • Portland
  • Salt Lake City
  • San Diego
  • San Francisco
  • Seattle
  • Tucson

The airline carried 38.6 million passengers in 2023. It operates a fleet of 475 aircraft, which include:

  • 240 Embraer E175
  • 89 Bombardier CRJ200
  • 105 Bombardier CRJ700
  • 41 Bombardier CRJ900

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