3 Airline Stocks Worth Watching Amid Industry Challenges
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Dec 10 2025
0mins
Should l Buy SKYW?
Source: NASDAQ.COM
Industry Overview: The Zacks Airline industry involves transporting passengers and cargo globally, with operators investing in technology and facing challenges from labor costs and economic conditions. The sector is recovering from pandemic impacts, with improved air travel demand and a focus on cargo revenues.
Impact of Government Shutdown: The recent 43-day federal government shutdown significantly affected the airline industry, leading to flight cancellations and staffing shortages. Delta Airlines projected a $200 million reduction in pre-tax profitability due to the shutdown.
Thanksgiving Travel Trends: Despite disruptions from the government shutdown and adverse weather, passenger volumes peaked during the Thanksgiving holiday, with record screenings by the TSA, indicating a positive trend for upcoming holiday travel.
Stock Performance and Recommendations: The Zacks Airline industry has gained 8.2% over the past year, lagging behind the S&P 500. Notable stocks to monitor include LATAM Airlines, SkyWest, and Delta, each showing potential for growth despite the industry's overall dim near-term prospects.
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Analyst Views on SKYW
Wall Street analysts forecast SKYW stock price to rise
4 Analyst Rating
3 Buy
1 Hold
0 Sell
Strong Buy
Current: 104.020
Low
112.00
Averages
131.00
High
150.00
Current: 104.020
Low
112.00
Averages
131.00
High
150.00
About SKYW
SkyWest, Inc. is the holding company for SkyWest Airlines, Inc. (SkyWest Airlines), SkyWest Charter, LLC (SWC), and SkyWest Leasing, Inc. (SkyWest Leasing), an aircraft leasing company. The Company’s segments include SkyWest Airlines and SWC, and SkyWest Leasing. SkyWest Airlines offers scheduled passenger service to destinations in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The Company's flights are operated as United Express, Delta Connection, American Eagle or Alaska Airlines flights under code-share agreements with United Airlines, Inc., Delta Air Lines, Inc., American Airlines, Inc. or Alaska Airlines, Inc., respectively. SkyWest Airlines has a fleet of approximately 500 aircraft. SWC offers on-demand charter service using CRJ200 aircraft in over 30-seat configuration. SkyWest Leasing finances new aircraft with debt under its capacity purchase agreements, consisting of its E175 aircraft. SkyWest Leasing is also engaged in leasing aircraft and engines to third parties.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
SkyWest Reports Strong Q4 Earnings Exceeding Expectations
- Strong Performance: SkyWest reported a Q4 2025 GAAP EPS of $2.21, exceeding estimates by $0.13, indicating robust profitability growth for the company.
- Revenue Growth: The company achieved $1.02 billion in revenue for Q4, an 8% year-over-year increase, surpassing market expectations by nearly $28.5 million, reflecting solid performance in the regional airline sector.
- Annual Net Income Increase: For the full year 2025, SkyWest reported a net income of $428 million, or $10.35 per diluted share, marking a nearly 33% increase from last year's $323 million, showcasing sustained profitability growth potential.
- Investment Outlook: Despite SkyWest's strong performance, analysts suggest that certain AI stocks may offer greater upside potential and lower downside risk, prompting investors to consider alternative investment opportunities.
See More
SkyWest Reports Strong Q4 2025 Earnings with Strategic Contract Extensions
- Strong Financial Performance: SkyWest reported a net income of $91 million for Q4 2025, translating to $2.21 per diluted share, with a full-year net income of $428 million or $10.35 per share, demonstrating a 31% increase in pretax income driven by a 15% growth in production, showcasing the company's robust operating leverage.
- Contract Extensions Strengthen Partnerships: The company secured multiyear contract extensions for 40 E175s with United Airlines and 13 E175s with Delta, emphasizing the ongoing long-term demand for its products and solidifying partnerships, which ensures revenue visibility through 2028.
- Significant Debt Reduction: Over the past three years, SkyWest has successfully reduced its debt by $1 billion to $2.4 billion, enhancing the company's long-term financial flexibility and stability, thereby providing greater capacity for future investments and expansions.
- Optimistic Future Outlook: The company anticipates mid-single-digit percentage growth in block hours for 2026, with projected earnings per share in the mid-$11 range, reflecting confidence in market demand, while planning capital expenditures of approximately $600 million to $625 million for 2026, consistent with 2025 levels.
See More
SkyWest Reports Strong Q4 Earnings Amid Challenges
- Financial Performance: SkyWest reported Q4 2025 net income of $91 million (EPS $2.21) and full-year net income of $428 million (EPS $10.35), reflecting a 31% increase in pre-tax income driven by 15% production growth, with EBITDA at $982 million and free cash flow exceeding $400 million, indicating robust financial health and capacity for ongoing investments.
- Debt Management: The company repaid $492 million of debt in 2025, ending the quarter with total debt of $2.4 billion and cash of $707 million, showcasing strong cash flow and effective debt management strategies that support future capital expenditures and shareholder returns.
- Contract Extensions: SkyWest secured multiyear flying agreements for E175 aircraft with United and Delta, ensuring revenue stability for the coming years, with expectations to operate nearly 300 E175s by 2028, reinforcing its position as the world's largest E175 operator and enhancing market competitiveness.
- 2026 Outlook: Management anticipates mid-single-digit growth in block hours for 2026, with expected EPS in the mid-$11 range; despite seasonal fluctuations, improvements in operational efficiency and aircraft utilization are expected to drive continued growth for the company.
See More
SkyWest (SKYW) Q4 2025 Earnings Call Transcript
See More
SkyWest Q4 Earnings Exceed Expectations
- Strong Earnings Performance: SkyWest reported a Q4 GAAP EPS of $2.21, beating expectations by $0.13, indicating robust profitability in the airline industry's recovery, which is likely to boost investor confidence further.
- Significant Revenue Growth: The company achieved revenues of $1.02 billion in Q4, an 8.0% year-over-year increase, surpassing market expectations by $28.48 million, reflecting SkyWest's competitive edge and business expansion capabilities amid recovering route demand.
- Favorable Market Positioning: SkyWest is well-positioned against international competitors, with its undervaluation and strong financial performance expected to lay the groundwork for record airline profits in the future, attracting more investor interest.
- Optimistic Industry Outlook: SkyWest's performance during the recovery phase following the U.S. government shutdown provides a positive signal for the industry, potentially fostering overall growth and recovery in the airline market.
See More
SkyWest Q4 Earnings Announcement Scheduled
- Earnings Release Date: SkyWest (SKYW) is set to announce its Q4 earnings on January 29th after market close, with consensus EPS estimate at $2.24 and revenue forecasted at $991.52 million, reflecting a 5% year-over-year growth.
- EPS Estimate Changes: Over the last three months, EPS estimates have seen one upward revision and two downward adjustments, indicating mixed market sentiment regarding SkyWest's profitability, which could impact investor confidence.
- Revenue Estimate Adjustments: Revenue estimates have also experienced two upward and two downward revisions, reflecting cautious market sentiment towards the airline industry's recovery, necessitating clear growth strategies from SkyWest in its earnings report to stabilize market confidence.
- Future Outlook: SkyWest projects mid-single-digit EPS growth for 2026, as fleet flexibility expands, positioning the company for stronger profitability in the highly competitive airline market.
See More
SkyWest Reports Strong Q4 Earnings Exceeding Expectations
- Strong Performance: SkyWest reported a Q4 2025 GAAP EPS of $2.21, exceeding estimates by $0.13, indicating robust profitability growth for the company.
- Revenue Growth: The company achieved $1.02 billion in revenue for Q4, an 8% year-over-year increase, surpassing market expectations by nearly $28.5 million, reflecting solid performance in the regional airline sector.
- Annual Net Income Increase: For the full year 2025, SkyWest reported a net income of $428 million, or $10.35 per diluted share, marking a nearly 33% increase from last year's $323 million, showcasing sustained profitability growth potential.
- Investment Outlook: Despite SkyWest's strong performance, analysts suggest that certain AI stocks may offer greater upside potential and lower downside risk, prompting investors to consider alternative investment opportunities.
See More
SkyWest Reports Strong Q4 2025 Earnings with Strategic Contract Extensions
- Strong Financial Performance: SkyWest reported a net income of $91 million for Q4 2025, translating to $2.21 per diluted share, with a full-year net income of $428 million or $10.35 per share, demonstrating a 31% increase in pretax income driven by a 15% growth in production, showcasing the company's robust operating leverage.
- Contract Extensions Strengthen Partnerships: The company secured multiyear contract extensions for 40 E175s with United Airlines and 13 E175s with Delta, emphasizing the ongoing long-term demand for its products and solidifying partnerships, which ensures revenue visibility through 2028.
- Significant Debt Reduction: Over the past three years, SkyWest has successfully reduced its debt by $1 billion to $2.4 billion, enhancing the company's long-term financial flexibility and stability, thereby providing greater capacity for future investments and expansions.
- Optimistic Future Outlook: The company anticipates mid-single-digit percentage growth in block hours for 2026, with projected earnings per share in the mid-$11 range, reflecting confidence in market demand, while planning capital expenditures of approximately $600 million to $625 million for 2026, consistent with 2025 levels.
See More
SkyWest Reports Strong Q4 Earnings Amid Challenges
- Financial Performance: SkyWest reported Q4 2025 net income of $91 million (EPS $2.21) and full-year net income of $428 million (EPS $10.35), reflecting a 31% increase in pre-tax income driven by 15% production growth, with EBITDA at $982 million and free cash flow exceeding $400 million, indicating robust financial health and capacity for ongoing investments.
- Debt Management: The company repaid $492 million of debt in 2025, ending the quarter with total debt of $2.4 billion and cash of $707 million, showcasing strong cash flow and effective debt management strategies that support future capital expenditures and shareholder returns.
- Contract Extensions: SkyWest secured multiyear flying agreements for E175 aircraft with United and Delta, ensuring revenue stability for the coming years, with expectations to operate nearly 300 E175s by 2028, reinforcing its position as the world's largest E175 operator and enhancing market competitiveness.
- 2026 Outlook: Management anticipates mid-single-digit growth in block hours for 2026, with expected EPS in the mid-$11 range; despite seasonal fluctuations, improvements in operational efficiency and aircraft utilization are expected to drive continued growth for the company.
See More
SkyWest (SKYW) Q4 2025 Earnings Call Transcript
See More
SkyWest Q4 Earnings Exceed Expectations
- Strong Earnings Performance: SkyWest reported a Q4 GAAP EPS of $2.21, beating expectations by $0.13, indicating robust profitability in the airline industry's recovery, which is likely to boost investor confidence further.
- Significant Revenue Growth: The company achieved revenues of $1.02 billion in Q4, an 8.0% year-over-year increase, surpassing market expectations by $28.48 million, reflecting SkyWest's competitive edge and business expansion capabilities amid recovering route demand.
- Favorable Market Positioning: SkyWest is well-positioned against international competitors, with its undervaluation and strong financial performance expected to lay the groundwork for record airline profits in the future, attracting more investor interest.
- Optimistic Industry Outlook: SkyWest's performance during the recovery phase following the U.S. government shutdown provides a positive signal for the industry, potentially fostering overall growth and recovery in the airline market.
See More
SkyWest Q4 Earnings Announcement Scheduled
- Earnings Release Date: SkyWest (SKYW) is set to announce its Q4 earnings on January 29th after market close, with consensus EPS estimate at $2.24 and revenue forecasted at $991.52 million, reflecting a 5% year-over-year growth.
- EPS Estimate Changes: Over the last three months, EPS estimates have seen one upward revision and two downward adjustments, indicating mixed market sentiment regarding SkyWest's profitability, which could impact investor confidence.
- Revenue Estimate Adjustments: Revenue estimates have also experienced two upward and two downward revisions, reflecting cautious market sentiment towards the airline industry's recovery, necessitating clear growth strategies from SkyWest in its earnings report to stabilize market confidence.
- Future Outlook: SkyWest projects mid-single-digit EPS growth for 2026, as fleet flexibility expands, positioning the company for stronger profitability in the highly competitive airline market.
See More
