SkyWest to take over ExpressJet for $133m

SkyWest, the largest US regional airline operator, is acquiring a Houston-based rival in a move that lines up the commuter operations of merger partners Continental Airlines and United Airlines, reported Dow Jones Newswires.

Utah-based SkyWest reached an agreement for an US$133 million all-cash deal to acquire the parent of ExpressJet Airlines, the largest provider of regional services to Continental. SkyWest is already a large provider of commuter flights to United, as well as Delta Air Lines.

The US network airlines have sold or spun off almost all of their regional operations, subcontracting flying from operators like SkyWest, which plans to combine ExpressJet with the Atlantic Southeast Airlines business it acquired from Delta.

SkyWest aims to close the deal in the fourth quarter.
(Source:www.cargonewsasia.com)