Regional airlines like Skywest are increasingly seeing their routes cut by the larger airlines they’re contracted by in favor of more profitable ones.
The company is in the midst of transitioning its fleet to Embraer jets, which it says will improve operations and fuel efficiency.
Pilots’ push for higher wages comes as airlines struggle to hire and retain them, affecting flight operations and the number of routes airlines can offer travelers.
Regional carriers like Mesa are seeing their pilots poached by larger airlines to address labor shortages, creating operational issues, according to airlines and analysts.
Southwest’s pilots and customer care workers spent the month of May in tense contract renegotiations with their employer.