Virgin Australia Regional Airlines

The Skywest Airlines fleet included a mix of general aviation types and small airliners including GAF N-24 Nomads, Embraer EMB 110 Bandeirantes, Beechcraft King Air 200s and Fairchild SA-227 Metro IIIs, as well as smaller types such as Cessna 182 Skylanes and Piper Aztecs.

The company was bought out by the Perron Group and then on-sold shortly thereafter to TNT/News Limited and began operating under the Ansett banner.

In 2004 it was the subject of a hostile, but ultimately successful, takeover attempt by Singapore-based investment company CaptiveVision Capital.

On 8 February 2007, news broke that the airline may be the target of a tie-up with Singapore-based Tiger Airways,[3] although no business arrangements were ever concluded.

[6] On 10 January 2011, it was announced that Virgin Australia had established a 10-year alliance under which Skywest would operate up to 18 turboprops in the bigger carrier's colours.

Virgin Australia and Skywest customers also could earn and redeem frequent flyer points on each other's networks.

In April 2012, Virgin Australia Holdings purchased 10% of Skywest Airlines,[7][8] followed by a full takeover bid on 30 October 2012.

[12] In April 2022, Virgin Australia announced its plans to phase out the Fokker 100 aircraft, and replace it with 10 year old Boeing 737-700s leased from KLM Royal Dutch Airlines.

[13] As of July 2018[update], Virgin Australia Regional Airlines flew regularly to the following destinations:[14] Since Virgin Australia's take over, two original WA Coastal Network (Skywest) destinations have been cancelled (Exmouth & Busselton) with Albany, Esperance and Ravensthorpe also ending on 27 February 2016.

Commencing in 2004, Island Bound Holidays chartered a Skywest Fokker 100 to undertake flights to Bali from Port Hedland.

As of January 2024[update], Virgin Australia Regional Airlines operates the following aircraft:[citation needed] The fleet is used significantly in the Australian state of Western Australia, including a number of charter services which support the growing regional centres.