SKW bases closing and new one's opening
07-20-2009, 08:40 PM
#21
Gets Weekends Off
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Mar 2006
Position: SkyWest Capt.
Posts: 2,963
Theoretically, SKW was supposed to phase out the EMB120s and replace them with CRJ 700's. The KCRQ runway is less than 5000', so I'm not certain if we could even operate CRJ's there...it would be right on the line performance-wise. Also a 70 seat jet might be overkill for CRQ.
But there are also now rumors of UAL Q400's. I would suspect they will continue service there as long as they have airplanes which are capable of doing it. The Q400 has 70 seats too, but is a lot cheaper to operate than a jet.
But there are also now rumors of UAL Q400's. I would suspect they will continue service there as long as they have airplanes which are capable of doing it. The Q400 has 70 seats too, but is a lot cheaper to operate than a jet.
If we bring Q400’s on board they will not be and cannot be a complete replacement for the EMB-120. I would say that if the Q400 does come on property it will replace some of the EMB-120’s heavier routes (SBA, MRY, LAS, SAN, ACV, etc) and some of the CR2’s shorter routes. But airports like CRQ, ILP, NYL, SMX, CIC, MOD, CEC, OTH, LMT, etc either don’t have the yield or RWY to support the Q. In order for SKW to continue to operate more than 70% of its EMB routes it will need a smaller more economical Turbo-Prop. Keep in mind that the majority of these smaller routes are subsides by the city, state or military.
07-21-2009, 07:51 AM
#22
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jun 2006
Position: 7ER
Posts: 183
SkyWest is not ending service to CLD but the EMB will be losing SAN-LAX to the CRJ. No one can be too surprised about that decision as the loads on this route have always been ridiculously high. None the less, the memories of Saabs and Brasilias racing one another up and down the coast will remain fond memories.
Also, Horizon did not use the Q for OTH because of a circling limitation (similar to the CRJ). I presume this is a company-imposed limitation but SkyWest would probably comply with that restriction. Most of the year OTH doesn't yield high loads, but during the summer, with golfers headed to Bandon Dunes, it seems like the Q would be the perfect aircraft.
Also, Horizon did not use the Q for OTH because of a circling limitation (similar to the CRJ). I presume this is a company-imposed limitation but SkyWest would probably comply with that restriction. Most of the year OTH doesn't yield high loads, but during the summer, with golfers headed to Bandon Dunes, it seems like the Q would be the perfect aircraft.
