SkyWest Discloses Major Order For 60 Embraer E175s & 50 Options

SkyWest Airlines, a major U.S. regional carrier, has ordered 60 Embraer E175 aircraft, with deliveries starting in 2027, as announced at the Paris Air Show. The deal includes purchase rights for 50 additional E175s, providing SkyWest with fleet flexibility over the next decade. Of the 60 aircraft, 16 will operate for Delta Air Lines' Delta Connection, replacing 11 older Bombardier CRJ700 and CRJ900 jets. The remaining 44 E175s await flying agreements with SkyWest's major airline partners.

SkyWest, the world's largest E175 operator, aims to enhance its dual-class regional service, with CEO Chip Childs emphasizing the order's role in advancing long-term fleet strategy. Embraer's CEO Arjan Meijer highlighted the E175's reliability and passenger comfort, reinforcing its dominance in North American regional aviation. However, the E175-E2's development remains stalled due to U.S. pilot union scope clauses, which restrict regional jets to 76 seats and a maximum takeoff weight of 86,000 pounds.

Embraer's Q1 backlog included 160 E175s, alongside E190-E2 and E195-E2 orders. While the E190-E2 and E195-E2 have gained traction—evidenced by All Nippon Airways' order for up to 20 E190-E2s and South Africa's Airlink leasing ten E195-E2s from Azorra—the E175-E2 faces delays. The Airlink deal, announced alongside SkyWest's order, will see deliveries from 2025 to 2027. SkyWest's order underscores confidence in the E175's performance, but scope clause limitations continue to shape Embraer's regional jet strategy in the U.S. market.