Commenting on the results, Chip Childs, Chief Executive Officer of SkyWest, said, “The quarter results reflect the continued strong demand for our product and the impact of our improved fleet mix as we continue investing in our E175 fleet. As we work through the constraints of an ongoing pilot imbalance and industry-wide staffing challenges, demand for our product remains exceptionally strong. I want to thank our people for their dedicated, world-class efforts.”
Financial Results
Revenue was $799 million in Q2 2022, up $142 million or 22%, from $657 million in Q2 2021. This quarter’s increase in revenue under SkyWest’s flying contracts came from adding 43 aircraft to its operations since Q2 2021, with the remaining revenue increase largely due to COVID-19 revenue concessions given to our major airline partners in Q2 2021.
Operating expenses were $710 million in Q2 2022, up 31% from $542 million in Q2 2021. The increase in operating expenses was primarily due to $114 million in payroll support program grants received from U.S. Treasury reflected as an offset to Q2 2021 operating expenses and operating costs from aircraft added to SkyWest’s fleet since Q2 2021.
Capital and Liquidity
SkyWest had $975 million in cash and marketable securities at June 30, 2022, up from $856 million at March 31, 2022 and $860 million at December 31, 2021.
Total debt at June 30, 2022 was $3.3 billion, up from $3.2 billion at March 31, 2022, reflecting the financing of eight new E175 aircraft delivered in Q2 2022. Capital expenditures during Q2 2022 were $197 million for the purchase of eight E175s and other fixed assets.
SkyWest is coordinating with its major airline partners to optimize the timing of upcoming fleet deliveries under previously announced agreements. SkyWest expects to finance the future E175 deliveries discussed below through debt. The anticipated future delivery dates summarized below are based on currently available information and are subject to change.
Flying contract with American for 20 E175 aircraft
18 aircraft were delivered in 2021 and two deliveries are expected in Q3 2022.
15 aircraft were placed into service during Q1 and Q2 2022 and five aircraft are expected to be placed into service by the end of 2022.
Flying contract with Delta for 16 E175 aircraft
Two aircraft were delivered in Q2 2022.
14 aircraft deliveries are anticipated in the second half of 2022.
Flying contract with Alaska for 11 E175 aircraft
Six aircraft were delivered in Q2 2022. Four aircraft were delivered in Q1 2022 and the remaining one aircraft delivery is expected in the first half of 2023.
Combined, SkyWest anticipates placing 47 E175 aircraft into service under these three previously announced agreements by early 2023. As of June 30, 2022, 30 aircraft were delivered and 17 aircraft have deliveries scheduled through early 2023. By mid-2023, SkyWest is scheduled to operate a total of 240 E175 aircraft.
