SKYW
IndustrialsSkyWest, Inc. · Airlines, Airports & Air Services · $3B
What is SkyWest, Inc.?
SkyWest, Inc. is one of the largest regional airlines in the United States, connecting smaller markets to major hubs through partnerships with the country's biggest carriers. Headquartered in St. George, Utah, it has operated for decades as a backbone of domestic regional air travel.
SkyWest generates revenue primarily by operating regional flights on behalf of major U.S. airlines under capacity purchase agreements — meaning the large carriers pay SkyWest to fly routes under their brand. This model provides a degree of revenue predictability compared to independent airlines. A secondary segment, SkyWest Leasing, earns income by leasing regional jet aircraft and spare engines to third parties. The company also provides airport customer and ground handling services for other airlines.
SkyWest was incorporated in 1972 and is headquartered in Saint George, Utah.
- Regional scheduled passenger flights across the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean
- Capacity purchase agreements with major U.S. airline partners
- Regional jet aircraft and spare engine leasing
- Airport ground handling and customer services for other carriers
Is SKYW a Good Stock to Buy?
UQS Score rates SKYW as Good overall, reflecting a mixed but constructive fundamental profile.
The Quality and Growth pillars both come in at Good, suggesting the business has demonstrated reasonable operational execution and a growth trajectory that holds up relative to sector peers. The Valuation pillar is rated Attractive, meaning the stock does not appear richly priced relative to its fundamentals — a meaningful consideration for value-oriented investors.
The Moat and Risk pillars are both rated Weak, which reflects the competitive pressures inherent in regional aviation and the operational and financial risks that come with running a capital-intensive airline business.
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Past performance does not guarantee future results. UQS Score is based on fundamental data and is not a buy/sell recommendation.
Does SKYW pay dividends?
No — SkyWest, Inc. does not currently pay a dividend.
SkyWest does not currently pay a dividend. Regional airlines tend to prioritize capital reinvestment — covering fleet maintenance, aircraft financing, and operational capacity — over returning cash to shareholders via dividends. Investors seeking income from this position would need to look elsewhere, while those focused on capital appreciation may find the reinvestment approach aligned with long-term growth.
When does SKYW report earnings?
SkyWest reports earnings on a quarterly cadence, consistent with standard practice for U.S.-listed public companies.
The company's recent results have reflected the broader recovery dynamics in regional aviation, with capacity purchase agreements providing a relatively stable revenue base. Operational costs — particularly around labor and fuel — remain key variables that influence quarterly outcomes.
For the most recent quarter's results and upcoming reporting dates, visit SkyWest's official investor relations page.
SKYW Price History
+92.4% over 5Y
Monthly close, adjusted for stock splits and dividend reinvestment.
What if I invested in SkyWest, Inc.?
Based on SkyWest, Inc.'s historical closing prices, adjusted for stock splits and dividend reinvestment. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is for informational purposes only and is not financial advice.
SKYW Long-term Outlook
The Good Growth pillar suggests SkyWest has meaningful forward momentum relative to its regional airline peers, supported by its capacity purchase model and fleet utilization. However, the Weak Risk pillar is a reminder that the airline industry remains sensitive to fuel price swings, labor availability, and macroeconomic softness. The Attractive Valuation rating indicates the market may not yet be fully pricing in the growth potential, though the Weak Moat profile means competitive advantages are limited.
Growth drivers
- Continued recovery and expansion of regional route networks post-pandemic
- Stable revenue base from long-term capacity purchase agreements with major carriers
- Aircraft leasing segment providing an additional, asset-backed income stream
Key risks
- Fuel cost volatility and labor market pressures compressing operating margins
- Dependence on major airline partners for the bulk of revenue
- Capital intensity of fleet ownership and maintenance in a cyclical industry
SKYW vs Peers
SkyWest operates in a competitive segment of the aviation industry alongside carriers and airport operators of varying scale and business models.
CAAP focuses on airport concession management across Latin America and Europe, giving it an infrastructure-oriented model distinct from SkyWest's flight operations.
Copa operates as a full-service international carrier based in Panama, competing in a broader geographic market with a different revenue structure than regional U.S. flying.
Alaska Air is a major U.S. carrier with its own branded network, contrasting with SkyWest's role as a regional operator flying under partner airline brands.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does SkyWest do?
SkyWest operates regional flights across the United States, Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean, primarily under capacity purchase agreements with major U.S. airlines. It also leases regional jet aircraft and engines through its SkyWest Leasing segment and provides ground handling services at airports.
Does SKYW pay dividends?
SkyWest does not currently pay a dividend. The company reinvests capital into its fleet and operations rather than distributing cash to shareholders. Investors focused on dividend income may want to consider this when evaluating SKYW.
When does SKYW report earnings?
SkyWest reports financial results on a quarterly basis, in line with standard U.S. public company practice. For exact dates and the most recent results, check SkyWest's investor relations page directly.
Is SKYW a good stock to buy?
UQS Score rates SKYW as Good overall. The Valuation pillar is Attractive and both Quality and Growth come in at Good, but the Weak Moat and Risk ratings highlight real challenges in the regional airline space. The full pillar breakdown is available to Pro members.
Is SKYW overvalued?
The UQS Valuation pillar for SKYW is rated Attractive, suggesting the stock is not considered overpriced relative to its fundamentals at the time of scoring. Valuation assessments can shift with market conditions, so reviewing the full analysis regularly is worthwhile.
How does SKYW compare to its competitors?
SkyWest's regional, partner-dependent model differs from full-service carriers like Alaska Air and international operators like Copa Holdings. Its capacity purchase structure provides more revenue predictability than independent airlines, though it also limits upside relative to carriers with their own branded networks.
What is SKYW's market cap bracket?
SkyWest is classified as a mid-cap company. This places it in a range that typically offers more liquidity than small-cap stocks while remaining more nimble than large-cap airline operators.
Who founded SkyWest?
SkyWest was incorporated in 1972. Founding details are widely available through public records and the company's official history on its investor relations and corporate pages.
Is SKYW a long-term quality indicator?
From a long-term quality perspective, SKYW's Good Quality and Growth ratings suggest reasonable operational fundamentals. The Weak Moat rating, however, indicates limited durable competitive advantages — a factor long-term investors typically weigh heavily when assessing staying power in a cyclical industry.
What is the main competitive advantage of SkyWest?
SkyWest's primary edge lies in its scale as a regional operator and its established relationships with major U.S. airlines through long-term capacity purchase agreements. These contracts provide revenue stability, though the UQS Moat pillar rates this advantage as Weak relative to broader market standards.
What sector does SKYW belong to?
SkyWest is classified in the Industrials sector, within the airlines and transportation sub-industry. Regional aviation sits at the intersection of infrastructure and consumer services, making it sensitive to both economic cycles and operational cost pressures.
Is SKYW a growth stock or value stock?
Based on UQS pillar labels, SKYW shows characteristics of both — the Growth pillar is rated Good and the Valuation pillar is Attractive, suggesting the market may be pricing the stock below its growth potential. It does not fit neatly into either category, which is common for mid-cap industrials.
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Pro Analysis
SKYW — Score History
| Date | UQS | Quality | Moat | Growth | Risk | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 21, 2026 | 61.9 | 72.0 | 27.0 | 69.7 | 55.3 | 99.3 | -0.1 |
| May 19, 2026 | 62.0 | 72.3 | 27.0 | 69.7 | 55.3 | 99.4 | +0.1 |
| May 15, 2026 | 61.9 | 71.9 | 27.0 | 69.7 | 55.3 | 99.3 | +0.1 |
| May 14, 2026 | 61.8 | 71.7 | 27.0 | 69.7 | 55.3 | 99.2 | +0.1 |
| May 12, 2026 | 61.7 | 71.5 | 27.0 | 69.7 | 55.3 | 99.1 | +1.7 |
| May 7, 2026 | 60.0 | 75.1 | 27.0 | 69.7 | 37.7 | 98.9 | 0.0 |
| May 6, 2026 | 60.0 | 75.1 | 27.0 | 69.7 | 37.7 | 99.2 | +0.1 |
| May 3, 2026 | 59.9 | 75.1 | 27.0 | 69.0 | 37.7 | 99.2 | +0.1 |
| Apr 26, 2026 | 59.8 | 75.1 | 27.0 | 69.0 | 37.7 | 99.0 | 0.0 |
| Apr 21, 2026 | 59.8 | 75.1 | 27.0 | 69.5 | 37.7 | 98.1 | -0.1 |
SKYW — Pillar Breakdown
Quality
— 71.7/100 (25%)SkyWest, Inc. shows solid profitability with healthy returns on capital and reasonable margins.
How effectively capital is deployed to generate returns.
Profitability relative to shareholders' equity.
Ability to convert revenue into operating profit.
Bottom-line profit as a share of revenue.
Asset productivity — how much gross profit each dollar of assets generates.
Free cash flow relative to market value.
Growth
— 69.7/100 (20%)SkyWest, Inc. demonstrates healthy growth trends across revenue and earnings.
Revenue trajectory over the last twelve months.
Compound annual revenue growth rate over 3 years.
Year-over-year earnings per share growth.
Analyst consensus for future revenue growth.
Analyst consensus for future earnings growth.
Risk
— 55.3/100 (15%)SkyWest, Inc. maintains a reasonable risk profile with manageable debt levels.
Debt levels relative to earnings capacity.
Total debt relative to shareholder equity.
Short-term liquidity — ability to pay near-term obligations.
Earnings capacity relative to interest payments.
Valuation
— 99.2/100 (15%)SkyWest, Inc. appears attractively valued relative to its earnings, cash flows, and sector peers.
Inverse of forward P/E — higher yield means cheaper stock.
How many years of FCF the market cap represents.
P/E relative to earnings growth — lower is more attractive.
Enterprise value multiple relative to sector median.
Moat
— 27/100 (25%)SkyWest, Inc. operates in a highly competitive environment with limited sustainable advantages. The Moat pillar evaluates competitive advantages across five dimensions: Switching Costs, Network Effects, Cost Advantage, Intangible Assets, and Scale & Ecosystem. Sign in to customize moat ratings for SKYW.
Score Composition
Financial Data
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How is the SKYW UQS Score Calculated?
The UQS (Unified Quality Score) for SkyWest, Inc. is calculated using a proprietary 6-pillar framework with 29 financial metrics. Each pillar evaluates a different dimension on a 0–100 scale, then combines into a single weighted score. Scoring thresholds are calibrated per sector. Momentum is an optional Pro toggle — without it, you get the 5-pillar / 25-metric core shown below.
Quality (25%) measures profitability and capital efficiency — ROIC, ROE, margins, GP/Assets, and FCF Yield.
Moat (25%) assesses SkyWest, Inc.'s competitive advantages across switching costs, network effects, cost advantages, intangible assets, and ecosystem scale.
Growth (20%) tracks revenue trajectory and earnings momentum, combining historical results with analyst forward estimates.
Risk (15%) is inversely scored — lower leverage and strong balance sheet health result in higher scores.
Valuation (15%) measures whether SkyWest, Inc. is fairly priced using earnings yield, price-to-FCF, PEG ratio, and EV/EBITDA relative to sector peers.
Six investor-inspired presets are available, each with different pillar weights: Balanced, Buffett, Munger, Lynch, Cathie Wood, and Graham. The public score shown here uses the Balanced preset. Learn more in our FAQ.