The profound damage inflicted by the September 11 terrorist attacks brought changes to the U.S. airline industry the most prescient observer could not have envisioned three months ago. Twenty-percent industrywide capacity cuts, furloughs and layoffs, large-scale route transfers from mainline carriers to regional affiliates and aircraft delivery deferrals have all marked one of the most volatile periods in the industry’s history. But while even the most financially sound regional carriers announced layoffs and pay cuts, one airline in particular–St. George, Utah-based SkyWest Airlines–emerged from the crisis with its core organization and workforce fully intact.
In fact, the airline plans no changes to a long-term strategy devised well before anyone considered the possibility of the September 11 horrors. Jerry Atkin, SkyWest’s chairman, president and CEO, reported a temporary financial hit and a hiring freeze due to service reductions, but the company furloughed none of its current staff nor does it anticipate any changes to its aircraft delivery schedule.
