SkyWest Airlines Reaches 25 Million Flight Hours Using GE Aviation CF34 Engines

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In late December, SkyWest Airlines became the first operator of GE Aviation’s CF34 engine to hit 25 million engine flight hours. SkyWest’s fleet includes more than 1,200 CF34-3B, CF34-8C, and CF34-8E engines. (Photo courtesy of GE Aviation.)

SkyWest Airlines entered its first engine from GE Aviation’s CF34 family into service back in 1994 when it equipped a Bombardier CRJ200 with a CF34-B. Fast-forward to December 22, 2020, and the leading North American regional passenger-connecting provider became the first CF34 engine operator to hit 25 million engine flight hours. SkyWest Airlines now has more than 1,200 CF34-3B, CF34-8C, and CF34-8E engines in its fleet, making its GE Aviation’s single largest operator of CF34s.

175 Million & Counting

GE Aviation says the CF34 helped launch a new era in regional jet aviation in the early 1990s. Today, there are more than 4,000 CF34s in service, and the CF34 lineup has amassed more than 175 million engine flight hours courtesy of Bombardier, Embraer, and COMAC aircraft. GE Aviation reports a 99.96% dispatch reliability rate for the engine program, translating to one delay or cancellation per 2,500 departures. SkyWest Airlines, meanwhile, transported roughly 43 million passengers in 2019 via partnerships with United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, and Alaska Airlines.

In related news, the companies also announced that SkyWest has extended its TrueChoice CF34-8 Material Support Agreement until 2037. As such, SkyWest’s 700-plus CF34-8C and CF34-8E engines will receive various material upgrades upon their next scheduled overhaul visit designed to enhance engine durability and lifespan. Jason Tonich, vice president and general manager of GE Aviation global sales and marketing, says the extension affirms the value SkyWest Airlines places on the CF34 engine family.

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Source: GE Aviation