SkyValue
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| SkyValue | ||
|---|---|---|
 |
||
| IATA XP |
ICAO CXP |
Callsign RUBY MOUNTAIN |
| Founded | December 15, 2006 | |
| Ceased operations | May 6, 2007 | |
| Hubs | Gary/Chicago International Airport | |
| Fleet size | 1 | |
| Destinations | 5 | |
| Parent company | Sky Value Ltd. | |
| Headquarters | Fort Lauderdale, Florida | |
| Key people | Robert Masson (President) Darrell Richardson (CEO) Donald Millroy (COO) Gabrielle Griswold (Senior Executive Vice President) |
|
| Website: http://www.flyskyvalue.com | ||
SkyValue, formally known as SkyValue USA, was a seasonal American low-cost airline that was headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and for the 2006-07 winter season, its only season of operations, operated from a hub at Gary/Chicago International Airport (GYY) in Gary, Indiana, which lies 25 miles southeast of the Chicago Loop.[1]
Contents |
[edit] History
On October 13, 2006, Sky Value USA, a US tour operator, announced that it would begin flights in December from Gary/Chicago International Airport to five "sunny" locations. Service from December 15, 2006, to April 2007 was to be offered as a test run, with service to continue if it was proved successful. SkyValue was operated as a "scheduled charter" service, with aircraft wet leased from Xtra Airways.
On January 4, 2007, SkyValue announced that service from Gary was such a success that their schedule would become year-round. Also, the same announcement indicated that additional routes were to be expected soon, with a Los Angeles airport on the airline's top priority list.
SkyValue's problems began when they pulled scheduled service to/from Fort Lauderdale (due to lacking passenger demand). However, at the same time, the airline added a 3rd weekly flight from its hub at Gary/Chicago International Airport to the airline's most popular destination, Mesa, Arizona which is located in the Phoenix area. A continuation from Mesa to a Los Angeles airport (most likely LA/Ontario International Airport) had been being discussed and was, at the time, a top priority for SkyValue.
In March 2007, SkyValue announced their new Summer Schedule, with flights now being offered until October 31, 2007. In addition, SkyValue had decided to return their 737-800 to Xtra Airways on April 23, 2007 in exchange for a 737-400, which would have also been wet-leased. This new aircraft included a business class section. [2]
On April 27, 2007, SkyValue announced they would be ending service to all destinations on May 6, 2007, citing their aircraft, the Boeinig 737-400 would need re-fueling stops during hot weather to/from Las Vegas and Mesa/Phoenix, as well as poor public demand over summer months. [3] In the same announcement, however, the airline stated it hoped to resume service next winter. As of May, the plans for adding service to southern California (LA/Ontario International Airport) had ended.
SkyValue would not return for the 2007/2008 winter season, and Xtra Airways, the airline that leased SkyValue their planes, is now suing the airline for $2.2 Million, for unpaid expenses.
[edit] Destinations
During the 2006-07 winter season, SkyValue flew to 5 destinations throughout the United States.[4]
[edit] United States
[edit] Arizona
- Phoenix/Mesa (Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport) winter-only seasonal service
[edit] Florida
- Orlando (Orlando International Airport)
- St. Petersburg/Clearwater (St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport)
[edit] Indiana
[edit] Nevada
[edit] Schedule
During its only year of operation, SkyValue operated the following schedule:
| Day of Week | Route |
|---|---|
| Sunday | Gary/Chicago - St. Petersburg/Clearwater - Orlando - Gary/Chicago Gary/Chicago - Las Vegas - Gary/Chicago |
| Monday | Gary/Chicago - Mesa/Phoenix - Gary/Chicago |
| Tuesday | No routes scheduled |
| Wednesday | Gary/Chicago - Mesa/Phoenix - Gary/Chicago |
| Thursday | Gary/Chicago - St. Petersburg/Clearwater - Orlando - Gary/Chicago Gary/Chicago - Las Vegas - Gary/Chicago |
| Friday | Gary/Chicago - Mesa/Phoenix - Gary/Chicago |
| Saturday | Gary/Chicago - St. Petersburg/Clearwater - Orlando - Gary/Chicago |
[edit] Fleet
[edit] Retired Fleet
When SkyValue began scheduled passenger service on December 15, 2006, they originally operated a Boeing 737-800 aircraft which was wet leased from Xtra Airways. The airline kept this aircraft until April 23, 2007, when the 737-800 (in all economy class configuration) was returned to Xtra Airways for a smaller Boeing 737-400 aircraft (in a business/economy class configuration). SkyValue has optioned for a year-long lease on the 737-400 which expires in April 2008, [5] and there are no current plans to bring back the 737-800.
| Aircraft | Passengers (Business/Economy) |
Routes | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boeing 737-400 | 150 (12/138) | All | wet leased from Xtra Airways Returned in May 2007 |
| Boeing 737-800 | 174 (0/174) | All | wet leased from Xtra Airways Returned in April 2007 |
