ST. GEORGE, UTAH, December 18, 2018 – SkyWest, Inc. (NASDAQ: SKYW) today announced that it ishas entered into definitive agreements to sell ExpressJet Airlines, Inc. (“ExpressJet”) to United Airlines(“United”) joint venture ManaAir, LLC. The transaction is expected to close in early 2019, subject tocustomary closing conditions.
Consideration for the transaction includes approximately $70 million in cash for the majority of the assetsand the assumption of liabilities of ExpressJet, subject to a working capital adjustment. The ExpressJetassets excluded from the transaction will be utilized or liquidated by SkyWest. The expected realizablevalue to SkyWest of the remaining inventory is estimated to approximate the value of the working capitaladjustment. SkyWest will retain ownership of the CRJ aircraft currently in service at ExpressJet.
The transaction also includes certain protections around existing SkyWest Airlines flying, as well as priorityposition to add 25 new dual-cabin aircraft with United should those opportunities arise. As part of thetransaction, SkyWest has also agreed to lease 20 CRJ200s to ExpressJet for up to five years.
“Today’s announcement provides further clarity and focus for the future,” said Chip Childs, SkyWest, Inc.President and Chief Executive Officer. “We want to thank the employees of ExpressJet for their valuedcontributions and we look forward to continuing to strengthen our partnership with United.”
About SkyWest
Based in St. George, Utah, SkyWest, Inc. is the holding company for two scheduled passenger airlineoperations and an aircraft leasing company with more than 17,000 employees. SkyWest’s airlinecompanies provide commercial air service in cities throughout North America with more than 2,500 dailyflights carrying approximately 50 million passengers annually. SkyWest Airlines operates throughpartnerships with United Airlines (“United”), Delta Air Lines (“Delta”), American Airlines (“American”) andAlaska Airlines. ExpressJet Airlines operates through partnerships with United and American. This pressrelease and additional information regarding SkyWest can be accessed at inc.skywest.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
In addition to historical information, this release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the PrivateSecurities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as “forecasts,” “expects,” “intends,” “believes,” “anticipates,”“estimates”, “should,” “likely” and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. Such statements include, but arenot limited to, statements about the expected terms, timing and benefits related to the ExpressJet transaction, SkyWest’sfuture financial and operating results, plans, objectives, expectations, estimates, intentions and outlook, and otherstatements that are not historical facts. All forward-looking statements included in this release are made as of the datehereof and are based on information available to SkyWest as of such date. SkyWest assumes no obligation to update anyforward-looking statement. Readers should note that many factors could affect the future operating and financial results ofSkyWest, SkyWest Airlines or ExpressJet, and could cause actual results to vary materially from those expressed inforward-looking statements set forth in this release including the risk that the ExpressJet transaction may not close on theterms or timing described herein, or at all. Additional risk factors, cautionary statements and other conditions which couldcause SkyWest’s actual results to differ materially from management’s current expectations are contained in SkyWest’sfilings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and QuarterlyReports on Form 10-Q.
Story and image from http://www.skywest.com