Airline unions are fighting a request by
SkyWest is not a familiar name to most air travelers, but it is one of many small carriers that operate flights for American Eagle,
Significantly, charter pilots do not need as much experience as pilots on scheduled airline flights. Under a rule that
“If approved, the SkyWest scheme would gut the safety rule, make flying less safe, and reward them with taxpayer funding,”
SkyWest says it plans to use pilots who hold airline-standard licenses for the charter flights. The company says charter service is the only way to preserve flights to many smaller communities that major airlines no longer serve. SkyWest says 82% of communities in the taxpayer-subsidized Essential Air Service program are served only by charters.
“We share your priorities of providing these flights with safety, security, service, and reliability as our highest concerns,” the airline’s CEO,
Childs vowed that SkyWest will surpass other charter operators — and some low-cost airlines — in pilot training, rest rules and other practices.
Several smaller cities served by SkyWest support the company's plan. In a typical one,
Unions representing pilots, air traffic controllers, flight attendants and ground workers oppose the SkyWest bid. They have enlisted
“I don't see this as a way to perpetuate safe service to those (smaller) cities, and I see it as a huge step back from one level of aviation in this country,” DeFazio said. “I don't see anything good coming of this.”
SkyWest has 13,100 employees, including 4,400 pilots, and 491 planes, a spokeswoman said Tuesday. The planes range from 50 to 76 seats. The charter operation would use
Small, so-called regional airlines have struggled with a pilot shortage. Last year, SkyWest indicated that it planned to drop 29
Bigger airlines have mostly been silent about the SkyWest charter plan.
SkyWest promises to use
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