Perth's Skywest takes first ATR 72 to operate under Virgin Australia brand

Skywest Airlines took delivery of its first ATR 72-500 Thursday from lessor Aviation PLC. The Australian regional plans to operate ATR 72s under a 10-year branding agreement with Virgin Australia.

ATR CEO Filippo Bagnato said, “While contributing to the further expansion of regional air connectivity in Australia, these new ATRs will also play a key role in feeding traffic to Virgin Australia’s domestic and international operations.”

Three more ATR 72-500s will be delivered to the Perth-based regional this year, while four ATR 72-600s are slated to enter service in 2012. The Skywest ATR 72s will replace Virgin Australia’s E-170 jets and allow Virgin Australia to launch additional routes, including from Brisbane to Gladstone and Port Macquarie, as well as increase frequencies on existing routes.