Airlines

Australian regional carrier Skywest Airlines has won what is believed to be the country's largest single charter services contract for the mining industry with a deal to operate at least 15 weekly return services using a Fokker 100 between Perth and Rio Tinto's West Angelas and Barimunya iron ore sites in Western Australia.

The contract was previously held by National Jet Systems and the win by Skywest follows a number of successes by the Perth-based operator in Western Australia's booming mining and resources sector in recent years. Skywest already works for Rio Tinto, having won a contract in 2002 to operate fly-in, fly-out services from Perth to the mining giant's Argyle Diamond mine in Western Australia. Earlier this year the airline secured a three-year scheduled charter contract with Fortescue Metals Group for fly-in, fly-out services from Perth to Fortescue's Cloudbreak iron ore mine. The growth in Skywest's scheduled charter business has seen it boost its Fokker 100 fleet to seven aircraft.

The latest contract is for three years with a two-year option extension. The contract also allows for monthly fuel price adjustments to reflect changes in jet fuel price.