Skywest is planning to start flights between Broome and Singapore according to its annual report, which also showed a strong increase in net profit for the year ending June 30.
In the chairman’s statement within the annual report, Skywest chairman Jeff Chatfield writes that the airline has had its air operator’s certificate (AOC) recently amended to include Denpasar, which it had previously served as a charter destination from Port Hedland, but is now able to sell its own tickets on the service. In addition, with the airline now over 50 per cent owned by Australian interests, it may be eligible to apply for an Australian International Airline Licence, allowing it to serve more destinations in Southeast Asia.
“To this end, the airline is now in the process of applying to include the route of Broome-Singapore to its AOC. Furthermore, the airline is investigating the addition of other domestic routes, such as from the Pilbara to the east coast of Australia,” wrote Chatfield.
For the 12 months ending June 30, the WA based airline recorded a major increase in profit before tax from S$5.14m (A$4m) to S$14m (A$10.9m) as revenue grew by 19 per cent to S$215.2m (A$168m). Net profit after tax increased by 190 per cent to S$9.23m (A$7.2m).
The annual report also noted that Skywest is still in the process of adding its first Airbus A320, registered VH-FNP, to its AOC. The aircraft was expected to enter service in August, but appears to be significantly delayed with the A320 still undergoing service with John Holland Aviation Services in Melbourne where it has been since its arrival earlier this year.
