Utah-based SkyWest Airlines plans to open a new maintenance facility to service Bombardier CRJ200s at South Bend Regional airport.

The 4,273.5m2 (46,000ft2) routine maintenance facility will use an existing hangar at the airport and open in early 2014, according to the regional carrier.

"South Bend is a good fit for the maintenance needs of our current fleet," says Mike Gibson, vice-president of maintenance at SkyWest. "With daily overnights and its proximity to other SkyWest hubs, positioning a new maintenance base at South Bend will allow us to continue an efficient and effective maintenance operation."

SkyWest says that it will service aircraft from primarily its Delta Air Lines and United Airlines operations in South Bend. It also flies CRJ200s for American Airlines and US Airways.

South Bend is SkyWest's ninth maintenance facility after Chicago, Colorado Springs, Fresno, Milwaukee, Nashville, Palm Springs, Salt Lake City and Tucson.

Source: Air Transport Intelligence news