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SkyWest Airlines Flies Colorado Springs Children to the 'North Pole'

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. , Dec. 9, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- SkyWest Airlines, a subsidiary of SkyWest, Inc. (Nasdaq: SKYW) will fly more than 50 local children and their families aboard the annual Fantasy Flight to the "North Pole" on Saturday, December 11. This December marks the fourth year SkyWest employees have brought this heartwarming tradition to Colorado Springs children for the Junior League of Colorado Springs (JLCS) and Community Partnership for Child Development (CPCD).

SkyWest will carry the children on a 30-minute flight onboard the Bombardier-manufactured Canadair Regional Jet 700 (CRJ700) from the Colorado Springs Airport to the "North Pole" (COS Gate 11). There, the precious passengers will be greeted by Santa Claus himself.

The night will also include dinner for the children and their families as well as appearances from local Olympians, face painting, pictures with Santa and more.

The magical evening will provide special holiday memories for children whose families struggle to meet their basic needs. Children aboard the Fantasy Flight are enrolled in CPCD early childhood education programs. These children live below the poverty level, have an identified special need, or have a home situation that puts them at risk for school failure.

Media are encouraged to attend this holiday adventure. The children and families will begin check in at 4:30 p.m. at the United Airlines ticket counter at Colorado Springs Airport, with the Fantasy Flight departing at approximately 7:15 p.m.

SkyWest Airlines is the world's largest independently owned regional airline. System-wide, SkyWest Airlines employs more than 11,000 aviation professionals and serves a total of 157 cities in 39 states, six Canadian provinces and one Mexican city with over 1,700 daily departures. More about SkyWest Airlines and this press release can be found at www.skywest.com.

About Junior League of Colorado Springs (JLCS) is a non-profit organization of women committed to promoting volunteerism, developing the potential of women, and improving the community through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. Its purpose is exclusively educational and charitable. The JLCS advocates for youth enabling them to be effective and valued citizens of this community. To learn more about the JLCS, visit www.jlcoloradosprings.org or contact the Junior League office at (719) 632-3855.

Through its core programs of Head Start, Early Head Start and the Colorado Preschool Program, Community Partnership for Child Development (CPCD) involves the entire family in the child's development and empowers parents to be advocates for their children's education. Children enrolled in CPCD programs live below the poverty level, have an identified special need, or have a home situation that puts them at risk for school failure. CPCD provides services to more than 1,900 children. For more information, visit www.cpcdheadstart.org.

SOURCE SkyWest Airlines