Here's Why Investors Should Bet on SkyWest Stock Now

Core Viewpoint - SkyWest (SKYW) is experiencing strong air travel demand and high passenger volumes, leading to impressive share price performance and growth opportunities [1] Financial Performance - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for SKYW's earnings per share has been revised upward by 7.7% for the current year and 7.3% for 2026, indicating broker confidence [2] - SKYW's shares have risen 36.1% over the past year, outperforming the Zacks Transportation – Airline industry's growth of 19.7% [3] - The company has a positive earnings surprise history, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate in the last four quarters with an average surprise of 16.7% [4] Industry Position - SKYW belongs to an industry with a Zacks Industry Rank of 35 out of 246, placing it in the top 14% of Zacks Industries, which is crucial for stock performance [5] Growth Factors - The company has a strong track record of meeting the demands of major airline partners, with revenues primarily from flying agreements expected to remain robust due to rising air travel demand [6] - SkyWest operates a fleet of around 500 aircraft, serving over 240 destinations, and carried more than 38 million passengers in 2023 [7] - The company is modernizing its fleet with agreements to operate 278 E175 aircraft by the end of 2026 and has acquired a 25% stake in regional carrier Contour Airlines [7] Strategic Developments - SkyWest has reached a multi-year contract extension with American Airlines for 74 CRJ700s and has taken delivery of four new E175 aircraft as part of an agreement with United Airlines, highlighting its commitment to network expansion [8][9]