Zacks Industry Outlook Highlights LATAM Airlines, Copa, SkyWest and Delta Air Lines
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Jun 26 2025
0mins
Source: NASDAQ.COM
Positive Outlook for Airline Industry: The easing of the Israel-Iran conflict has led to lower oil prices, benefiting airlines by reducing fuel costs. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) projects record passenger revenues in 2025, indicating a strong recovery and growth potential for companies like LATAM Airlines, Copa Holdings, and SkyWest.
Financial Strength and Shareholder Returns: Airlines are increasingly returning cash to shareholders through dividends and buybacks as economic conditions improve post-pandemic. Delta Air Lines recently raised its dividend by 25%, reflecting confidence in financial stability, while labor cost increases pose challenges for profitability.
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Analyst Views on SKYW
Wall Street analysts forecast SKYW stock price to rise over the next 12 months. According to Wall Street analysts, the average 1-year price target for SKYW is 131.00 USD with a low forecast of 112.00 USD and a high forecast of 150.00 USD. However, analyst price targets are subjective and often lag stock prices, so investors should focus on the objective reasons behind analyst rating changes, which better reflect the company's fundamentals.
4 Analyst Rating
3 Buy
1 Hold
0 Sell
Strong Buy
Current: 97.480
Low
112.00
Averages
131.00
High
150.00
Current: 97.480
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 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.
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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.
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