SKYWMEDIUM SIGNALFINANCIAL10-K

SkyWest shows strong operational performance with 33% net income growth and 36% operating cash flow increase, but raised total debt by 31% while cutting cash reserves in half.

The company is generating significantly stronger earnings and cash flows, indicating improved operational efficiency and likely better capacity utilization. However, the substantial debt increase combined with the 46% decline in cash reserves suggests either aggressive growth investments or potential liquidity management challenges that warrant monitoring.

Comparing 2026-02-17 vs 2025-02-13View on EDGAR →
FINANCIAL ANALYSIS

SkyWest delivered strong operational results with net income growing 33% to $428.3M and operating cash flow surging 36% to $940.4M, while reducing capital expenditures by 29%. However, the company significantly altered its capital structure by increasing total debt 31% to $2.5B while cash reserves fell 46% to $122.7M, and share buybacks dropped 75% to $20M. The overall picture suggests strong operational performance but a more leveraged balance sheet that may reflect either growth investments or working capital needs requiring investor attention.

FINANCIAL STATEMENT CHANGES
Share Buybacks
Cash Flow
-74.5%
$78.5M$20.0M

Buyback activity reduced 74.5% — capital being redeployed elsewhere or cash conservation underway.

Cash & Equivalents
Balance Sheet
-46%
$227.4M$122.7M

Cash declined 46% — significant cash burn or deployment; verify adequacy of remaining liquidity runway.

Operating Cash Flow
Cash Flow
+35.8%
$692.5M$940.4M

Operating cash flow surged 35.8% — exceptional cash generation, highest quality earnings signal.

Net Income
P&L
+32.6%
$323.0M$428.3M

Net income grew 32.6% — bottom-line growth signals improving overall business health.

Total Debt
Balance Sheet
+30.6%
$1.9B$2.5B

Debt increased 30.6% — substantial leverage increase; assess whether deployed for growth or covering losses.

Capital Expenditure
Cash Flow
-28.7%
$44.9M$32.0M

Capex reduced 28.7% — investment cycle winding down or capital discipline; may improve near-term free cash flow.

Operating Income
P&L
+24.9%
$494.7M$617.8M

Operating income improving — cost discipline or growing revenue base absorbing fixed costs.

Current Liabilities
Balance Sheet
+16.6%
$1.4B$1.7B

Current liabilities rose 16.6% — increased short-term obligations, watch current ratio.

Stockholders Equity
Balance Sheet
+14%
$2.4B$2.7B

Equity base grew 14% — retained earnings accumulation or equity issuance strengthening the balance sheet.

LANGUAGE CHANGES
NEW — 2026-02-17
PRIOR — 2025-02-13
ADDED
As of February 10 2026, there were 40,406,672 shares of the registrant s common stock outstanding.
These statements include, but are not limited to, statements about the continued demand for our product, the effect of economic conditions on SkyWest s business, financial condition and results of operations, the timing of scheduled aircraft deliveries, fleet expansion, changes in aircraft seat configurations, transition and anticipated fleet size for SkyWest in upcoming periods, expected production levels in future periods and associated recovery from captain staffing challenges, pilot attrition trends, SkyWest s coordination with United Airlines, Inc.
( Alaska ) (each, a major airline partner and together, major airline partners ) regarding the delivery of aircraft under previously announced agreements and timing of placing new aircraft deliveries into service, the expected terms, timing and benefits related to SkyWest s leasing, strategic arrangements, strategic agreements and equity investments in third parties, the potential use of SkyWest Charter ( SWC ) as a commuter air carrier, SkyWest s provision of assets to Corporate Flight Management, Inc.
tariffs on global economic conditions and the financial markets, passenger demand, the cost of aircraft parts and supplies sourced internationally and the cost of service providers located outside of the United States; the impact of potential future U.S.
government shutdowns on air traffic controller staffing, flight cancellations and federal Essential Air Service ( EAS ) subsidies and other unanticipated factors.
BUSINESS General Through SkyWest Airlines, our primary operating entity, we offer scheduled passenger service to destinations in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
As of December 31, 2025, we offered approximately 2,260 daily departures, of which approximately 940 were United Express flights, 680 were Delta Connection flights, 420 were American Eagle flights and 210 were Alaska Airlines flights.
The Bombardier CRJ900, CRJ700 and CRJ550 aircraft and the Embraer E175 aircraft we operate under our code-share agreements are configured with a first-class seating section.
The Bombardier CRJ200 aircraft we operate under our code-share agreements are configured in a 50-seat configuration with single-class seating.
As of December 31, 2025, our fleet seat configuration by aircraft type is summarized as follows: Manufacturer Aircraft Type Seat Configuration Embraer E175s 70-76 Bombardier CRJ900s 70-76 Bombardier CRJ550/CRJ700s 50-70 Bombardier CRJ200s 30-50 SkyWest Leasing SkyWest Leasing is a reportable segment that includes revenue associated with our financing of new aircraft with debt under our capacity purchase agreements, currently consisting of our E175 aircraft, and the depreciation and interest expense of our E175 aircraft.
REMOVED
As of February 7, 2025, there were 40,330,017 shares of the registrant s common stock outstanding.
These statements include, but are not limited to, statements about the continued demand for our product, the effect of economic conditions on SkyWest s business, financial condition and results of operations, the scheduled aircraft deliveries, fleet expansion and anticipated fleet size for SkyWest in upcoming periods, expected production levels in future periods and associated staffing challenges, pilot attrition trends, SkyWest s coordination with United Airlines, Inc.
( Alaska ) (each, a major airline partner and together, major airline partners ) to optimize the delivery of aircraft under previously announced agreements and quickly placing new aircraft deliveries into service, the expected terms, timing and benefits related to SkyWest s leasing, strategic partnership and joint venture transactions, SkyWest s provision of assets to Corporate Flight Management, Inc.
BUSINESS General Through SkyWest Airlines, we offer scheduled passenger service to destinations in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
As of December 31, 2024, we offered approximately 2,190 daily departures, of which approximately 890 were United Express flights, 700 were Delta Connection flights, 380 were American Eagle flights and 220 were Alaska Airlines flights.
Bombardier and Embraer are the primary manufacturers of regional jets operated in the United States and offer many of the amenities of larger commercial jet aircraft, including flight attendant service, a stand-up cabin, overhead and under seat storage, lavatories and in-flight snack and beverage service.
The Bombardier CRJ900, CRJ700 and CRJ550 aircraft and the Embraer E175 aircraft we operate are configured with a first-class seating section.
The Bombardier CRJ200 aircraft we operate are configured with single-class seating.
As of December 31, 2024, SkyWest Leasing leased 35 CRJ700 aircraft, five CRJ900 aircraft and regional jet aircraft engines to third parties.
As of December 31, 2024, SWC had 18 aircraft available for on-demand charter service.
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