Utah-based SkyWest has entered into an investment agreement with Delft-based aircraft design company Maeve Aerospace.
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Utah-based SkyWest has entered into an equity investment agreement with Maeve Aerospace, a Delft-based aircraft‐design company.
Chip Childs, SkyWest President and CEO, says, “SkyWest is committed to leading our industry forward, and we’re pleased to invest in Maeve as the leading edge of technological, sustainable advancements for regional aviation.”
Maeve Aerospace, a European aircraft design company founded in 2021, is developing a new regional jet to address growth in global air travel. The company operates from offices in the Netherlands and Germany.
Maeve’s mission is to provide air mobility that connects communities while reducing environmental impact. The company is designing a regional aircraft intended to meet narrow-body operating standards, reduce operating costs, and lower emissions.
Currently, Maeve is creating a new generation of regional jets with seating capacity between 50 and 100 passengers. It is collaborating with MHI RJ Aviation Group to develop what it says will be the first clean-sheet regional jet to reach the market in more than 20 years.
What to expect from the collaboration?
The agreement gives SkyWest exclusive launch customer rights for Maeve aircraft. Under the agreement, SkyWest will provide operations, performance, and design input during Maeve’s development phase.
The collaboration aligns with SkyWest’s fleet replacement plans and supports the development of regional aviation solutions.
Martin Nuesseler, Maeve CTO, says, “Today marks a significant milestone in regional aviation as we collaborate with SkyWest to bring the MAEVE Jet to life.”
“This investment, made by the largest regional airline in the world, not only validates our vision but also establishes a partnership that supports the development of the MAEVE Jet by providing important input from an operator to generate a real impact in the market and for more sustainable air travel. Together, we are redefining the future of regional connectivity.”
MHIRJ Senior Vice President of Business Development, Strategy, and Communications Ross Mitchell adds, “We are excited about SkyWest’s endorsement of the MAEVE Jet, which marks a significant milestone in the transformative potential of hybrid electric regional aircraft. This partnership underscores their commitment to innovation in aviation and highlights our shared vision for a sustainable future.”
“At MHIRJ, we look forward to collaborating closely to enhance regional travel by combining our expertise and resources.”
MHI RJ Aviation Group, a subsidiary of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, provides operational, engineering, and customer support for the global regional aircraft industry. Headquartered in Canada, it operates service centres, support offices, and parts depots in Canada, the US, and Germany, and includes MHI RJ Aviation ULC (Canada), MHI RJ Aviation Inc. (U.S.A.), and MHI RJ Aviation GmbH (Germany).
Brief about SkyWest
SkyWest, Inc. is the holding company for SkyWest Airlines, SWC, and SkyWest Leasing. SkyWest Airlines operates nearly 500 aircraft to more than 265 destinations in North America and partners with United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, and Alaska Airlines, carrying 42 million passengers in 2024.
