Regional carrier SkyWest has acquired a minority stake in fast growing commuter airline Southern Airways.
Financial details were not disclosed.
According to SkyWest, the strategic investment will help enhance Southern’s recruiting options by offering a career pathway from Southern’s cadet program to advance to regional flying with SkyWest.
Southern now has about 200 pilots while SkyWest claims it is the world’s largest regional carrier based on fleet size.
"The airline marketplace is incredibly competitive, and we are pleased with this opportunity to firmly cement our brand alongside the most respected regional industry giant," said Stan Little, chairman and CEO of Southern Airways.
Southern has quickly grown to become one of the largest commuter airlines in the US.
Established in 2013, it acquired Illinois based charter operator Executive Express Aviation, and Sun Air Express in 2015 and 2016 respectively.
Earlier this year it completed a transaction to buy Hawaii based Mokulele Airlines.
When operations are finally integrated later this year, Southern Airways will operate 1,380 weekly flights.
Southern operates a fleet of Cessna Caravans and Grand Caravans.
