SkyWest Airlines 2015 Annual Report Download - page 25

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Interruptions or disruptions in service at one of our hub airports, due to adverse weather or for any other reason,
could have a material adverse impact on our operations.
We currently operate primarily through hubs in Atlanta, Los Angeles, Houston, Minneapolis, Detroit, San
Francisco, Salt Lake City, Chicago, Denver, Houston, Washington, D.C., Newark, Cleveland and the Pacific Northwest.
Nearly all of our flights either originate from or fly into one of these hubs. Our revenues depend primarily on our
completion of flights and secondarily on service factors such as timeliness of departure and arrival. Any interruptions or
disruptions could, therefore, severely and adversely affect us. Extreme weather can cause flight disruptions, and, during
periods of storms or adverse weather, fog, low temperatures, etc., our flights may be canceled or significantly delayed.
Hurricanes Katrina and Rita and Superstorm Sandy, in particular, caused severe disruption to air travel in the affected
areas and adversely affected airlines operating in the region, including ExpressJet. We operate a significant number of
flights to and from airports with particular weather difficulties, including Atlanta, Salt Lake City, Chicago, San
Francisco, Newark and Denver. A significant interruption or disruption in service at one of our hubs, due to adverse
weather, security closures or otherwise, could result in the cancellation or delay of a significant portion of our flights
and, as a result, could have a severe adverse impact on our operations and financial performance.
Economic and industry conditions constantly change, and negative economic conditions in the United States and
other countries may create challenges for us that could materially and adversely affect our operations and financial
condition.
Our operations and financial condition are affected by many changing economic and other conditions beyond
our control, including, among others:
• disruptions in the credit markets, which have resulted in greater volatility, less liquidity, widening of credit
spreads, and decreased availability of financing;
• actual or potential changes in international, national, regional and local economic, business and financial
conditions, including recession, inflation, higher interest rates, wars, terrorist attacks or political instability;
• changes in consumer preferences, perceptions, spending patterns or demographic trends;
• changes in the competitive environment due to industry consolidation and other factors;
• actual or potential disruptions to U.S. air traffic control systems;
• price of jet fuel and oil;
• outbreaks of diseases that affect travel behavior; and
• weather and natural disasters.
The effect of any, or some combination, of the foregoing economic and industry conditions on our operations or
financial condition is virtually impossible to forecast; however, the occurrence of any or all of such conditions in a
significant manner could materially and adversely affect our operations and financial condition.
We could be adversely affected by significant disruptions in the supply of fuel or by significant fluctuation in fuel
prices.
Dependence on foreign imports of crude oil, limited refining capacity and the possibility of changes in
government policy on jet fuel production, transportation and marketing make it impossible to predict the future
availability of jet fuel. If there are additional outbreaks of hostilities or other conflicts in oil-producing areas or
elsewhere, or a reduction in refining capacity (due to weather events, for example), or governmental limits on the
production or sale of jet fuel, there could be a reduction in the supply of jet fuel and significant increases in the cost of jet