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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 14A

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No.          )

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Filed by a Party other than the Registrant o

Check the appropriate box:

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Preliminary Proxy Statement

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Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))

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Definitive Proxy Statement

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Definitive Additional Materials

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Soliciting Material under §240.14a-12

 

SkyWest, Inc.

(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)

 

(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)

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Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.

 

 

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SkyWest, Inc.

444 South River Road    •    St. George, UT 84790

March 15, 2012

Dear Shareholder:

        You are invited to attend the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of SkyWest, Inc. scheduled to be held at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, May 1, 2012, at our headquarters located at 444 South River Road, St. George, Utah.

        The accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders and Proxy Statement describe the items to be considered and acted upon by the shareholders.

        Your vote is very important. Whether you plan to attend the Annual Meeting or not, we urge you to vote your shares as soon as possible. This will ensure representation of your shares at the Annual Meeting if you are unable to attend.

        We are pleased to make these proxy materials available over the Internet, which we believe increases the efficiency and reduces the expense of our annual meeting process. As a result, we are mailing to shareholders a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials (the "Notice") instead of paper copies of these proxy materials and our 2011 Annual Report. The Notice contains instructions on how to access those documents over the Internet or request that a full set of printed materials be sent to you. The Notice also gives instructions on how to vote your shares.

        We look forward to seeing you at the Annual Meeting.

Sincerely,

GRAPHIC

Jerry C. Atkin
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer


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SkyWest, Inc.
444 South River Road    •    St. George, UT 84790

NOTICE OF THE ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
OF SKYWEST, INC.

Date:   Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Time:

 

11:00 a.m., Mountain Daylight Time (MDT)

Place:

 

SkyWest, Inc. Headquarters
444 South River Road
St. George, Utah 84790

Purposes:

 

1.

 

To elect nine directors of SkyWest, Inc. (the "Company"), to serve until the next Annual Meeting of the Company's shareholders;

 

 

2.

 

To conduct an advisory vote on a non-binding resolution to approve the compensation of the Company's named executive officers;

 

 

3.

 

To ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young, LLP to serve as the Company's independent registered public accounting firm (independent auditors) for the year ending December 31, 2012; and

 

 

4.

 

To transact such other business that may properly come before the Annual Meeting and any adjournment thereof.

Who Can Vote:

 

Shareholders at the close of business on March 2, 2012.

How You Can Vote:

 

Shareholders may vote at the Annual Meeting, or in advance over the Internet, by telephone, or by mail.

By authorization of the Board of Directors

GRAPHIC

Michael J. Kraupp
Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

March 15, 2012


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Proxy Statement for the

Annual Meeting of Shareholders of

SKYWEST, INC.

To Be Held on Tuesday, May 1, 2012

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 
  Page  

Overview

    1  

Proposal 1—Election of Directors

    4  

Executive Officers

    14  

Corporate Governance

    15  

Meetings and Committees of the Board

    19  

Compensation Discussion and Analysis

    23  

Compensation Committee Report

    33  

Summary Compensation Table

    34  

Grants of Plan-Based Awards for 2011

    36  

Outstanding Equity Awards at Year-End

    37  

Option Exercises and Stock Vested

    38  

Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation for 2011

    39  

Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control

    42  

Director Compensation

    43  

Director Summary Compensation Table for 2011

    44  

Proposal 2—Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation

    47  

Proposal 3—Ratification of Appointment of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

    48  

Audit & Finance Committee Disclosure

    49  

Fees Paid to Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

    52  

Report of the Audit & Finance Committee

    53  

Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance

    54  

Shareholder Proposals for the 2013 Annual Meeting of Shareholders

    54  

Delivery of Documents to Shareholders Sharing an Address

    55  

Other Business

    55  

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PROXY STATEMENT
FOR THE
ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
OF
SKYWEST, INC.

TUESDAY, MAY 1, 2012

OVERVIEW

Solicitation

        This Proxy Statement, the accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting, proxy card and the Annual Report to Shareholders of SkyWest, Inc. (the "Company" or "SkyWest") are being mailed on or about March 15, 2012. The Board of Directors of the Company (the "Board") is soliciting your proxy to vote your shares at the Annual Meeting of the Company's Shareholders to be held on May 1, 2012 (the "Meeting"). The Board is soliciting your proxy in an effort to give all shareholders of record the opportunity to vote on matters that will be presented at the Meeting. This Proxy Statement provides information to assist you in voting your shares.

What is a proxy?

        A proxy is your legal designation of another person to vote on your behalf. You are giving the individuals appointed by the Board as proxies (Jerry C. Atkin and Michael J. Kraupp) the authority to vote your shares in the manner you indicate.

Why did I receive more than one notice?

        You may receive multiple notices if you hold your shares in different ways (e.g., joint tenancy, trusts, custodial accounts) or in multiple accounts. If your shares are held by a broker (i.e., in "street name"), you will receive your notice or other voting information from your broker. In any case, you should vote for each notice you receive.

Voting Information

Who is qualified to vote?

        You are qualified to receive notice of and to vote at the Meeting if you own shares of common stock of SkyWest (the "Common Stock") at the close of business on the record date of Friday, March 2, 2012.

How many shares of Common Stock may vote at the Meeting?

        As of March 2, 2012, there were 50,919,499 shares of Common Stock outstanding and entitled to vote. Each share of Common Stock is entitled to one vote on each matter presented at the Meeting.

What is the difference between a "shareholder of record" and a "street name" holder?

        If your shares are registered directly in your name with Zion's First National Bank, the Company's transfer agent, you are a "shareholder of record." If your shares are held in the name of a brokerage, bank, trust or other nominee as a custodian, you are a "street name" holder.

How can I vote at the Meeting?

        You may vote in person by attending the Meeting. You may also vote in advance over the Internet, or by telephone, or you may request a complete set of traditional proxy materials and vote your proxy

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by mail. To vote your proxy using the Internet or telephone, see the instructions on the proxy form and have the proxy form available when you access the Internet website or place your telephone call. To vote your proxy by mail, mark your vote on the enclosed proxy card, then follow the instructions on the card.

What are the Board's recommendations on how I should vote my shares?

        The Board recommends that you vote your shares as follows:

Proposal 1

      FOR the election of all nine nominees for director with terms expiring at the next annual meeting of the Company's shareholders.

Proposal 2

   
 

FOR the non-binding resolution to approve the compensation of the Company's named executive officers.

Proposal 3

   
 

FOR the ratification of the appointment of Ernst & Young, LLP as the Company's independent registered public accounting firm (independent auditors) for the year ending December 31, 2012.

What are my choices when voting?

Proposal 1

      You may cast your vote in favor of up to nine individual director-nominees. You may vote for less than nine director-nominees if you choose. You may also abstain from voting.

Proposals 2 and 3

   
 

You may cast your vote in favor of, or against, each proposal. You may also abstain from voting,

How will my shares be voted if I do not specify how they should be voted?

        If you execute the enclosed proxy card without indicating how you want your shares to be voted, the proxies appointed by the Board will vote as recommended by the Board and described previously in this section.

How will withheld votes, abstentions and broker non-votes be treated?

        Withheld votes, abstentions and broker non-votes will be deemed as "present" at the Meeting, and will be counted for quorum purposes only.

Can I change my vote?

        You may revoke your proxy before the time of voting at the Meeting in any of the following ways:

What vote will be required to approve each proposal?

        Proposal 1 provides that the nine director-nominees who receive a majority of the votes cast with respect to his or her election will be elected as directors of the Company. This means that the number of shares voted "for" the election of a director must exceed the number of shares voted "against" the election of that director.

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        Proposals 2 and 3 will be approved if the number of votes cast, in person or by proxy, in favor of a particular proposal exceeds the number of votes cast in opposition to the proposal. Proposal 2 is an advisory vote only, and has no binding effect on the Board or the Company.

Who will count the votes?

        Representatives from Zion's First National Bank, the Company's transfer agent, or other individuals designated by the Board, will count the votes and serve as inspectors of election. The inspectors of election will be present at the Meeting.

Who will pay the cost of this proxy solicitation?

        The Company will pay the costs of soliciting proxies. Upon request, the Company will reimburse brokers, dealers, banks and trustees, or their nominees, for reasonable expenses incurred by them in forwarding proxy materials to beneficial owners of shares of the Common Stock.

Is this Proxy Statement the only way proxies are being solicited for use at the Meeting?

        Yes. The Company does not intend to employ any other methods of solicitation.

How are proxy materials being delivered?

        The Company is pleased to take advantage of U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission rules that allow companies to furnish their proxy materials over the Internet. As a result, the Company is mailing to most of its shareholders a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials (the "Notice") instead of a paper copy of this Proxy Statement and the Company's 2011 Annual Report to Shareholders. The Notice contains instructions on how to access those documents over the Internet. The Notice also contains instructions on how to request a paper copy of the Company's proxy materials, including this Proxy Statement, the 2011 Annual Report to Shareholders and a form of proxy card or voting instruction card. All shareholders who do not receive a Notice will receive a paper copy of the proxy materials by mail. The Company believes this new process will allow it to provide its shareholders with the information they need in a more efficient manner, while reducing the environmental impact and lowering the costs of printing and distributing these proxy materials.

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PROPOSAL 1
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

Composition of the Board

        The Board currently consists of eight directors. All directors serve a one-year term and are subject to re-election each year.

        The current composition of the Board is:

The Board Recommends That Shareholders
Vote
FOR All Nine Nominees Listed Below.

Nominees for Election as Directors

        At the Meeting, the Company proposes to elect nine directors to hold office until the 2013 Annual Meeting of Shareholders and until their successors have been elected and have qualified. The nine nominees for election at the Meeting are listed below. Eight of the nominees are currently serving as a director of the Company and have consented to be named as a nominee. Mr. Albrecht, the other nominee, previously served as a director of the Company from 2003 through 2009 and has also consented to be named as a nominee. If, prior to the Meeting, any of the nominees becomes unable to serve as a director, the Board may designate a substitute nominee. In that event, the persons named as proxies intend to vote for the substitute nominee designated by the Board.

        The Board and its Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee believe that each of the following nominees possesses the experience and qualifications that directors of the Company should possess, as described in detail below, and that the experience and qualifications of each nominee compliments the experience and qualifications of the other nominees. The experience and qualifications of each nominee, including information regarding the specific experience, qualifications, attributes and skills that led the Board and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee to conclude that he or she should serve as a director of the Company at the present time, in light of the Company's business and structure, are set forth on the following pages.

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Jerry C. Atkin

   

Age:

 

63

Director Since:

 

1974

Committees:

 

None

Principal Occupation:

 

Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of the Company and its two operating subsidiaries, SkyWest Airlines, Inc. ("SkyWest Airlines") and ExpressJet Airlines, Inc. ("ExpressJet").

Experience:

 

Mr. Atkin joined the Company in July 1974 as a director and the Company's Director of Finance. In 1975, he assumed the office of President and Chief Executive Officer and was elected Chairman of the Board in 1991. Mr. Atkin served as President of the Company until 2011. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Atkin was employed by a public accounting firm and is a certified public accountant.

 

The Board nominated Mr. Atkin to serve as a director, in part, because Mr. Atkin is the Company's Chief Executive Officer and has more than 35 years of experience with the Company. He is the only officer of the Company nominated to serve as a director, and plays a critical role in communicating the Board's expectations, advice, concerns and encouragement to more than 18,000 full-time equivalent Company employees. Mr. Atkin has a deep knowledge and understanding of the Company, SkyWest Airlines and ExpressJet, as well as the regional airline industry. Mr. Atkin also performs an extremely valuable role as the Chairman of the Board, providing critical leadership and direction to the Board's activities and deliberations. The Board also believes Mr. Atkin's values and integrity are tremendous assets to the Company and its shareholders.

Other Directorships:

 

Mr. Atkin currently serves as a director of Zion's Bancorporation, a regional bank holding company based in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Family Relationship:

 

Mr. Atkin is a nephew of J. Ralph Atkin, who also serves as a director of the Company.

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W. Steve Albrecht

   

Age:

 

65

Director Since:

 

Not currently a director (Previously served as a director of the Company from 2003 until 2009)

Committees:

 

None (Previously served as Chairman of the Audit and Finance Committee and as a member of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee)

Principal Occupation:

 

President of the Japan Tokyo Mission of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Volunteer position)

Experience:

 

Mr. Albrecht, a certified public accountant and certified fraud examiner, joined the faculty of Brigham Young University in 1977, where he filled various positions, including service as the Andersen Alumni Professor of Accounting at the Marriott School of Management, until June 2009, when he resigned in order to commence his service as the President of the Japan Tokyo Mission of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in July 2009. Prior to joining the faculty of Brigham Young University, Mr. Albrecht taught at Stanford University and the University of Illinois. He has also served as the President of the American Accounting Association, the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners and Beta Alpha Phi.

 

The Board recognizes Mr. Albrecht's valuable contribution as a director of the Company from 2003 until 2009, including his service as the Chairman of the Audit and Finance Committee. Based upon its understanding that Mr. Albrecht's voluntary service for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is scheduled to conclude in July 2012, the Nominating and Corporate Governance recommended that the Board nominate Mr. Albrecht to resume his service as a director of the Company. The Board recognizes Mr. Albrecht's exceptional academic and professional record, his many achievements, awards and other forms of recognition in the accounting profession, and his extensive training in accounting practices and fraud detection. The Board also considered Mr. Albrecht's diligent service as the Chairman of the Audit and Finance Committee, which the Board believes is indicative of the caliber of service Mr. Albrecht would provide to the Company if re-elected as a director of the Company.

Other Directorships:

 

Mr. Albrecht currently serves as a director of Red Hat, Inc., Cypress Semiconductor and SunPower Corporation.

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J. Ralph Atkin

   

Age:

 

68

Director Since:

 

1972

Committees:

 

Member of the Safety and Compliance Committee

Principal Occupation:

 

Attorney-at-Law

Experience:

 

Mr. Atkin is the founder of the Company and served as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company from 1972 to 1975; Chairman of the Board of the Company from 1972 to 1991; and Senior Vice President of the Company from 1984 to 1988. He has helped develop airlines in Europe and Africa, including having served as the Chief Executive Officer of Ghana Airlines, the national carrier of the Republic of Ghana, and Chief Executive Officer of Euro Sky, a company organized to explore the feasibility of operating a regional airline in Austria. From March 1991 to January 1993, Mr. Atkin was Director of Business and Economic Development for the State of Utah.

 

The Board's nomination of Mr. Atkin is a reflection of the Board's respect for Mr. Atkin as a founder of the Company, and his unique perspective on the Company's growth, achievements and opportunities. Mr. Atkin has spent more than 37 years in the airline industry, and previously served as the Chairman of the Board and the Chief Executive Officer of the Company, as well as the Chief Executive Officer of two other aviation companies. In addition to Mr. Atkin's current service on the Safety and Compliance Committee, he has also served on each of the Company's Audit and Finance Committee, Compensation Committee and Nominating & Corporate Governance Committee, and brings to the Board his training and experience as a practicing attorney, which the Board believes has been valuable to the Company as it has addressed various legal and regulatory issues.

Family Relationship:

 

Mr. Atkin is an uncle of Jerry C. Atkin, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of the Company.

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Margaret S. Billson

   

Age:

 

50

Director Since:

 

2006

Committees:

 

Chairman of the Safety and Compliance Committee; Member of the Compensation Committee; Member of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee

Principal Occupation:

 

President, Legacy Support Group, BBA Aviation plc

Experience:

 

Ms. Billson has served in various roles throughout 28 years in the aviation industry. Since September 2009 she has been the President of BBA Aviation's Legacy Support division, an international provider of aviation flight support and aftermarket services. Previously she was the Chief Operations Officer and later the President, Airplane Division, of Eclipse Aviation Corporation ("Eclipse"), a manufacturer of small business jets, during its development and early manufacturing phase from 2005 through 2008. In November 2008, Eclipse filed a petition for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware. She was with Honeywell Aerospace from 1997 through 2005, in roles that included Vice President of Engineering and Product Development, later as Vice President and General Manager of Honeywell Aerospace's Aircraft Landing Systems operations (later Airframe Systems). Ms. Billson started her career with McDonnell Douglas, where she spent 13 years in various roles including Deputy Chief Design Engineer on the MD-11 aircraft, and Vice President of Technical Services and Vice President of Programs on the MD-11 and MD-80/90 aircraft.

 

The Board recognizes the breadth and depth of Ms. Billson's considerable aviation industry knowledge and the leadership skills she has developed through 28 years in the aviation industry. She brings her vast knowledge of aircraft manufacture and operation to her position as Chairman of the Board's Safety and Compliance Committee, and contributes her experience in leading large complex organizations to the Board's Compensation and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committees. Additionally, in her service as a director, Ms. Billson draws upon her vast knowledge of developing and executing strategies to deliver financial results.

Other Directorships:

 

Ms. Billson serves as a director of three other companies that are directly owned by BBA Aviation, plc. They are Ontic UK, Limited, Ontic Engineering and Manufacturing, Inc. and App Houston dba as Ontic.

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Ian M. Cumming

   

Age:

 

71

Director Since:

 

1986

Committees:

 

Chairman of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee; Member of the Audit and Finance Committee.

Principal Occupation:

 

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Leucadia National Corporation, a diversified holding company engaged in a variety of businesses, including manufacturing, real estate activities, medical product development, winery operations and residual banking and lending activities ("Leucadia") since 1978. Leucadia also owns equity interests in operating businesses and investment partnerships, which are accounted for under the equity method of accounting, including gaming, entertainment, land-based contract oil and gas drilling, real estate activities and development of a copper mine in Spain.

Experience

 

The Board recognizes the breadth and depth of Mr. Cumming's considerable business expertise, which he has developed through more than 30 years of service as the Chairman of the Board of a large, diversified business enterprise. Mr. Cumming brings to the Board valuable experience serving as a director of other public companies, which enhances his contributions to the Board's activities. Mr. Cumming draws upon his vast experience in corporate governance to carry out his duties as the Chairman of our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. Mr. Cumming has applied his extensive financial acumen to encourage disciplined financial management in the Company's operations. Mr. Cumming's finance and investment skills, together with his extensive background in mergers, acquisitions and business reorganizations, have been increasingly valuable to the Board's deliberations as the Company has explored and pursued various growth and expansion opportunities.

Other Directorships:

  In connection with his service as Chairman of the Board of Leucadia, Mr. Cumming currently serves as a director on the following Leucadia affiliated companies, each with at-least 20% Leucadia direct ownership.

Jeffries Group,  Inc. an investment bank and institutional securities firm;

Home Fed Corp., a real estate investment and development company.

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Henry J. Eyring

   

Age:

 

48

Director Since:

 

2006 (Also served as a director of the Company from 1995 until 2003)

Committees:

 

Chairman of the Compensation Committee; Member of the Audit and Finance Committee

Principal Occupation:

 

Advancement Vice President at Brigham Young University Idaho

Experience:

 

Mr. Eyring has served in various positions of administration at Brigham Young University Idaho since 2006. Mr. Eyring was President of the Japan Tokyo North Mission of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 2003 until 2006. From 2002 until 2003 he was a special partner with Peterson Capital, a private equity investment firm; from 1998 through 2002, he was the Director of the Masters of Business Administration Program at Brigham Young University.

 

The Board recognizes the strong business and strategic consulting experience Mr. Eyring contributes to the Board's direction of the Company. In addition to the recent experience summarized above, Mr. Eyring was previously engaged with the Monitor Company, an internationally-recognized management consulting firm. Mr. Eyring is a sound strategic thinker who possesses the unique ability to apply his academic thought and studies to the practical day-to-day challenges of the Company's operations. His thoughtful application of business and legal principles has been a valuable contribution to his service as the Chairman of the Compensation Committee.

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Robert G. Sarver

   

Age:

 

50

Director Since:

 

2000

Committees:

 

Member of the Audit and Finance Committee

Principal Occupation:

 

Since 2004, Mr. Sarver has served as the Managing Partner of the Phoenix Suns, a professional basketball team in the National Basketball Association. Since 2002, he has also served as the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Western Alliance Bancorporation, a commercial bank holding company that does business in Nevada, California, and Arizona.

Experience:

 

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of California Bank and Trust from 1995 to 2001. Prior to 1995, he served as the President of National Bank of Arizona.

 

The Board nominated Mr. Sarver, in part, because of his significant knowledge in the areas of financial analysis, business strategy and investment management. In addition to his lengthy service as the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Western Alliance Bancorporation, Mr. Sarver was formerly a certified public accountant. Mr. Sarver's background and experience have been tremendous assets to the Board in various capacities, including his service on the Audit and Finance Committee and his current designation as an audit committee financial expert. Mr. Sarver also contributes valuable insight he has acquired through his strong entrepreneurial experience, and plays an important role in the Board's review of the Company's liquidity and capital management practices.

Other Directorships:

 

Mr. Sarver is a director of Meritage Corporation, a builder of single-family homes and Western Alliance Bancorporation, a bank holding company.

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Steven F. Udvar-Hazy

   

Age:

 

66

Director Since:

 

1986

Committees:

 

Member of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee; Member of the Compensation Committee; Lead Director

Principal Occupation:

 

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Air Lease Corporation, which leases and finances commercial jet aircraft worldwide.

Experience:

 

Mr. Udvar-Hazy has been engaged in aircraft leasing and finance for over 40 years. Prior to his current engagement with Air Lease Corporation, Mr. Udvar-Hazy founded, and served as the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of, International Lease Finance Corporation, which leases and finances commercial jet aircraft.

 

Mr. Udvar-Hazy is recognized as one of the leading experts in the aviation industry, and contributes to the Board the wisdom and insight he has accumulated through a lengthy, distinguished career in aviation, aircraft leasing and finance. The Company has benefitted greatly from Mr. Udvar-Hazy's eminent position in the aviation industry, including introductions to his vast industry contacts and networking opportunities. In addition to his extensive industry experience, Mr. Udvar-Hazy is extremely knowledgeable of the Company's operations and opportunities, having served as a director for more than 25 years. Mr. Udvar-Hazy's even temperament and ability to encourage discussion, together with his experience as a chief executive officer and director of other successful organizations, make him an effective Lead Director.

Other Directorships:

 

Mr. Udvar-Hazy is Chairman of the Board of Directors of Air Intercontinental, Inc., an aviation investment company, President and director of Ocean Equities, Inc., a financial holding company, and Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors of Emerald Financial LLC, a real estate investment company.

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James L. Welch

   

Age:

 

57

Director Since:

 

2007

Committees:

 

Chairman of the Audit and Finance Committee; Member of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee; Member of the Safety and Compliance Committee.

Principal Occupation:

 

Chief Executive Officer of YRC Worldwide Inc., a provider of global, national and regional ground transportation services.

Experience:

 

From 2008 until July 2011, Mr. Welch served as the President and Chief Executive Officer of Dynamex,  Inc., a provider of same-day transportation and logistics services in the United States and Canada. During 2007 and 2008 he served as Interim Chief Executive Officer of JHT Holdings, a holding company of multiple enterprises engaged in automotive transport and management services. From 2000 until 2007, Mr. Welch served as the President and Chief Executive Officer of Yellow Transportation, an international transportation services provider.

 

Mr. Welch has over 30 years of senior executive experience in the transportation sector, including valuable experience in the leadership of large and varied groups. That experience includes extensive experience working with organized labor groups, including unions. Mr. Welch's insights have been particularly valuable to the Board as the Company has addressed labor and related issues arising in the operation of SkyWest Airlines, as well as issues associated with the acquisition and integration of ExpressJet. Mr. Welch also contributes to the Board valuable practical experience in the operation of a large enterprise, as well as the perspective of a successful entrepreneur.

Other Directorships:

 

Mr. Welch serves as a director for YRC Worldwide, Inc., Spirit AeroSystems, Inc., a supplier of commercial airplane assemblies and components, and Roadrunner Transportation Services, a transportation services provider.

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EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

        In addition to Jerry C. Atkin, the Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board, whose biographical information is set forth above, the following individuals served as executive officers of the Company or its operating subsidiaries during 2011.

        Bradford R. Rich, 50, is the President of the Company, with responsibility for the direction and oversight of the operations of the Company and its subsidiaries. He is also responsible for the strategic planning and development opportunities of the Company.

        Mr. Rich joined the Company in 1987 as Corporate Controller and is a certified public accountant. He served as the Company's Chief Financial Officer from 1991 until May 2011, when he was appointed to serve as the President of the Company.

        Michael J. Kraupp, 51, was appointed as the Chief Financial Officer of the Company, SkyWest Airlines and ExpressJet in May 2011 and has served as Treasurer of the Company since 2007. He is responsible for the areas of finance, treasury, investor relations and information technology for the Company and its subsidiaries.

        Prior to his appointment as Chief Financial Officer, Mr. Kraupp had served as the Vice President—Finance of the Company since 2001, and served as Vice President—Controller from 1991 until 2001. Mr. Kraupp is a certified public accountant.

        Eric J. Woodward, 40, was appointed as the Chief Accounting Officer of the Company in May 2011. Mr. Woodward is responsible for the oversight of the Company's financial accounting practices, internal controls and reporting to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

        Mr. Woodward served as the Company's Vice President and Controller from April 2007 until May 2011, and was employed in various other capacities with the Company from April 2004 until April 2007. Mr. Woodward is a certified public accountant.

        Russell A. Childs, 44, was appointed President and Chief Operating Officer of SkyWest Airlines in April 2007. He is responsible for oversight of the safety and quality of SkyWest Airline's operations, including aircraft flight operations, maintenance and customer service. He also oversees SkyWest Airline's relationships with Delta Air Lines, Inc. ("Delta"), United Airlines, Inc. ("United"), U.S. Airways, Inc. ("U.S. Airways") and Alaska Airlines.

        Mr. Childs was initially employed with the Company in January 2001 as Senior Director/Controller and later that year was named Vice President/Controller.

        Bradford R. Holt, 52, is the President and Chief Executive Officer of ExpressJet. Mr. Holt was appointed President and Chief Operating Officer of Atlantic Southeast Airlines, Inc., a predecessor of ExpressJet ("Atlantic Southeast"), in December 2007 and President and Chief Operating Officer of ExpressJet Holdings, Inc. in November 2010. Mr. Holt has directed the combination of the operations of Atlantic Southeast and ExpressJet Holdings, Inc., resulting in the operations currently conducted by ExpressJet. He is responsible for oversight of the safety and quality of airline operations, including aircraft flight operations, maintenance, and customer service at ExpressJet. He also oversees ExpressJet's relationships with its major airline partners, including Delta and United.

        Prior to his appointment as President and Chief Operating Officer of Atlantic Southeast, Mr. Holt accumulated more than 26 years of aviation experience at SkyWest Airlines, where he was previously Vice President of Flight Operations and served in various leadership positions, including as a pilot.

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CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

Corporate Governance Guidelines

        The Board adopted Corporate Governance Guidelines on August 2, 2005, which can be accessed at the Company's Web site, www.SkyWest.com. The Company's Corporate Governance Guidelines supplement the Company's Bylaws and the charters of the Board's committees. Excerpts from the principal sections of the Company's Corporate Governance Guidelines are noted below:

Director Independence

        At a minimum, the Board will have a majority of directors who meet the criteria for independence as required by The Nasdaq Global Select Market.

Director Qualifications

Director Responsibilities

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Board Meetings and Materials

Committees

        The Board has four standing committees: (1) Audit and Finance, (2) Compensation, (3) Nominating and Corporate Governance and (4) Safety and Compliance.

Director Compensation

        The form and amount of director compensation is determined by the Board based on general principles established on the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee's recommendation. These principles are in accordance with the policies and principles set forth in the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee's charter and are consistent with rules established by The Nasdaq Global Select Market, including those relating to director independence and to compensation of Audit & Finance Committee members.

CEO Evaluation and Management Succession

        The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee conducts an annual review to assess the performance of the Company's Chief Executive Officer. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee communicates the results of its review to the other directors in a meeting that is not attended by the Chief Executive Officer. The directors of the Company, excluding the Chief Executive Officer, review the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee's report to assess the Chief Executive Officer's leadership in the long and short-term.

Board Leadership Structure

        Mr. Jerry C. Atkin currently serves as the Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of the Company. The Board and its Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee believe that the traditional practice of combining the roles of chairman of the board and chief executive officer currently provides the preferred form of leadership for the Company. Given Mr. Atkin's vast experience with the Company, the tremendous respect which he has earned from employees, business partners and shareholders, as well as other members of the aviation industry, and his proven leadership skills, the Board believes the best interests of the Company's shareholders are met by Mr. Atkin's continued service in both capacities. The Board believes Mr. Atkin's fulfillment of both responsibilities

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encourages clear accountability and effective decision-making, and provides strong leadership for the Company's employees and other stakeholders.

        Given the outstanding experience and qualifications the Company's directors contribute to the Board's activities, the Company has implemented a number of practices designed to encourage effective corporate governances. These practices, which are driven primarily by the Company's Corporate Governance Guidelines, include:

        The Board believes no single leadership model is right for all companies at all times. The Board recognizes that, depending on the circumstances, other leadership models, such as a separate independent Chairman of the Board, may be appropriate. For approximately 17 years prior to Mr. Atkin's appointment as Chairman of the Board, the Company separated the positions for the Chairman of the Board and the Chief Executive Officer. The independent directors and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee regularly review the Company's leadership structure and, depending on the Company's needs and the available resources, the Board may modify the existing leadership structure.

Review and Access to Guidelines

        The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee reviews the Company's Corporate Governance Guidelines at least annually, then, as it deems appropriate, recommends amendments to the Board.

Communications with the Board

        Shareholders and other interested parties may communicate with one or more directors or the non-management directors as a group in writing by regular mail. The following address may be used by those who wish to send such communications by regular mail:

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Code of Ethics

        The Company has adopted a Code of Ethics for Directors and Senior Executive Officers, which is available on the Company's Web site, www.SkyWest.com. The Code of Ethics includes the following principles related to the Company's directors and executive officers:

Risk Oversight

        The Board and each of its committees are involved in overseeing risk associated with the Company and its operations. The Board and the Audit and Finance Committees monitor the Company's credit risk, liquidity risk, regulatory risk, operational risk and enterprise risk by regular reviews with management and internal and external auditors and other advisors. In its periodic meetings with the internal auditors and the Company's independent accountants, the Audit and Finance Committee discusses the scope and plan for the internal audit and includes management in its review of accounting and financial controls, assessment of business risks and legal and ethical compliance programs. The Board and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee monitor the Company's governance and succession risk by regular review with management and outside advisors. The Board and the Compensation Committee monitor CEO succession and the Company's compensation policies and related risks by regular reviews with management and the Compensation Committee's outside advisors. The Board and the Safety and Compliance Committee monitor management's administration of airline flight operations safety and compliance with safety regulations.

Whistleblower Hotline

        The Company has established a whistleblower hotline that enables employees, customers, suppliers and shareholders of the Company and its subsidiaries, as well as other interested parties, to submit confidential and anonymous reports of suspected or actual violations of the Company's Code of Ethics. The hotline number is (888) 273-9994.

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MEETINGS AND COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD

The Board

        Each director is expected to devote sufficient time, energy and attention to ensure diligent performance of his or her duties and to attend all Board, committee and shareholders' meetings. The Board met four times during 2011, all of which were regularly-scheduled meetings. All directors attended at least 75% of the meetings of the Board and of the committees on which he or she served during the year ended December 31, 2011. All of the Company's directors attended the Annual Meeting of the Company's Shareholders held on May 3, 2011.

Committees of the Board

        The Board has four standing committees to facilitate and assist the Board in the execution of its responsibilities: (1) Audit and Finance, (2) Compensation, (3) Nominating and Corporate Governance and (4) Safety and Compliance. All the committees are comprised solely of non-employee, independent directors as defined by The Nasdaq Global Select Market listing standards. Charters for each committee are available on our website, www.SkyWest.com.

        The table below shows current membership for each of the standing Board committees.

Audit & Finance   Compensation   Nominating & Corporate
Governance
  Safety and Compliance
James L. Welch*   Henry J. Eyring*   Ian M. Cumming*   Margaret S. Billson*
Ian M. Cumming   Margaret S. Billson   Margaret S. Billson   Steven F. Udvar-Hazy
Henry J. Eyring   Steven F. Udvar-Hazy   James L. Welch   J. Ralph Atkin
Robert G. Sarver       Steven F. Udvar-Hazy   James L. Welch

*
Committee Chairman

Audit & Finance Committee

        The Audit and Finance Committee has four members and met five times during the year ended December 31, 2011. The Board has determined that Mr. Robert G. Sarver of the Audit and Finance Committee is an "audit committee financial expert" within the meaning established by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

        The Audit and Finance Committee's responsibilities, which are discussed in further detail in its charter, include the responsibility to:

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        Additional information regarding the Audit and Finance Committee's processes and procedures is addressed below under the heading "Audit & Finance Committee Disclosure." The Report of the Audit & Finance Committee is set forth on page 53 of this Proxy Statement.

Compensation Committee

        The Compensation Committee has three members and met three times during the year ended December 31, 2011. The Compensation Committee's responsibilities, which are discussed in detail in its charter, include the responsibility to:

        Additional information regarding the Compensation Committee's processes and procedures for consideration of executive compensation are addressed below under the Heading "Compensation Discussion and Analysis." The report of the Compensation Committee is set forth on page 33 of this Proxy Statement.

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee

        The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee has four members and met once during the year ended December 31, 2011. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee's responsibilities, which are discussed in detail in its charter, include the responsibility to:

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Safety and Compliance Committee

        The Board established the Safety and Compliance Committee, currently consisting of four members, in November 2011. The Safety and Compliance Committee met once during the year ended December 31, 2011. The responsibilities of the Safety and Compliance Committee, which are discussed in its charter, include the responsibility to:

Nomination Process

        The policy of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is to consider properly submitted shareholder recommendations for candidates to serve as directors of the Company. In evaluating those recommendations, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee seeks to achieve a balance of knowledge, experience and capability on the Board and to address the membership criteria described below. Any shareholder wishing to recommend a candidate for consideration by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee should submit a recommendation in writing indicating the candidate's qualifications and other relevant biographical information and provide confirmation of the candidate's consent to serve as a director. This information should be addressed to Jerry C. Atkin, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, 444 South River Road, St. George, Utah 84790.

        As contemplated by the Company's Corporate Governance Guidelines, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee reviews the appropriate skills and characteristics required of directors in the context of the current composition of the Board, at least annually. There is currently no set of specific minimum qualifications that must be met by a nominee recommended by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, as different factors may assume greater or lesser significance at particular times and the needs of the Board may vary in light of its composition and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee's perceptions about future issues and needs. Among the factors the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee considers, which are outlined in the Corporate Governance Guidelines, are independence, diversity, age, skills, integrity and moral responsibility, policy-making experience, ability to work constructively with the Company's management and directors, capacity to evaluate strategy and reach sound conclusions, availability of time and awareness of the social, political and economic environment.

        The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee utilizes a variety of methods for identifying and evaluating director nominees. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee assesses the appropriate size of the Board, and whether any vacancies on the Board are expected due to retirement or otherwise. In the event that vacancies are anticipated, or otherwise arise, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee considers various potential candidates for director. Candidates may come to the attention of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee through various means, including current directors, professional search firms, shareholder recommendations or other referrals. Candidates are evaluated at meetings of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, and may be considered at any point during the year. All

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director-nominee recommendations which are properly submitted to the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee are aggregated and considered by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee at a meeting prior to the issuance of the proxy statement for the next annual meeting of shareholders. Any materials provided by a shareholder in connection with the recommendation of a director candidate are forwarded to the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, which considers the recommended candidate in light of the director qualifications discussed above. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee also reviews materials provided by professional search firms, if applicable, or other parties in connection with a candidate who is not proposed by a shareholder. In evaluating such recommendations, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee seeks to achieve a balance of knowledge, experience and capability on the Board. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee has, on occasion, engaged professional search firms to assist in identifying qualified candidates for Board service. When such firms have been engaged, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee has utilized their services principally for the purpose of identifying and screening potential candidates and conducting background research; however, the members of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, as well as other directors of the Company, have conducted interviews with prospective candidates and have performed other functions in completing the nomination process.

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

        None of the individuals who served on the Compensation Committee during the year ended December 31, 2011, was an officer or employee of the Company in 2011 or any time prior thereto. None of the members of the Compensation Committee during the year ended December 31, 2011, had any relationship with the Company requiring disclosure under Item 404 of Regulation S-K promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. None of the executive officers of the Company served as a member of the Compensation Committee, or similar committee, of any other company whose executive officer(s) served as a director of the Company or the Compensation Committee.

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COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

        The following narrative compensation discussion and analysis provides information regarding the Company's executive compensation objectives, principles, practices and decisions as they relate to the following named executive officers of the Company (the "Executives"):

        The compensation discussion and analysis provides narrative perspective to the tables and disclosure in the tables following this section.

Compensation Objectives and Principles

        The overall objective of the Company's executive compensation programs is to create long-term value for the Company's shareholders by attracting and retaining talented executives that manage effectively and consistent with the long-term interest of shareholders.

        Accordingly, the executive compensation program incorporates the following principles:

Executive Compensation Procedures

        To attain the Company's executive compensation objectives and to implement the underlying compensation principles, the Company follows the following procedures:

        Role of the Committee.    The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors (the "Committee") has responsibility for establishing and monitoring the executive compensation programs and for making decisions regarding executive compensation. The Chief Executive regularly attends the Committee meetings. The Committee also meets in executive session. The Committee recommends the compensation package of the Chief Executive to the Board of Directors, which then sets his compensation. The Committee also considers the recommendations of the Chief Executive with respect to compensation of the other Executives, and after reviewing such recommendations, sets their compensation. The Committee also monitors, administers and approves awards under the various incentive compensation plans for all levels within the Company, including awards under the Company's

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annual bonus plan and the Company's 2006 Long-Term Incentive Plan and 2010 Long-Term Incentive Plan.

        The Committee relies on its judgment in making compensation decisions in addition to reviewing relevant information and results. When setting total compensation for each of the Executives, the Committee reviews tally sheets which show the Executive's current compensation, including base pay, annual bonus objectives, long-term, equity-based compensation objectives, and deferred compensation retirement funding.

        The Committee also occasionally evaluates surveys and other available data regarding the executive compensation programs of other regional and major air carriers in order to determine competitiveness of the Company's executive compensation programs. The Committee performed such a review in 2010 that included a review of the executive compensation practices of peer airlines Midwest, Pinnacle, Express Jet, Republic, Airtran, Jet Blue, Alaska, Southwest, US Airways, American, Delta Air Lines, and United. The executive compensation procedures and the Committee assessment process are designed to be flexible in an effort to promptly respond to the evolving business environment and individual circumstances.

        Role of Consultants.    Neither the Company nor the Committee has any contractual arrangement with any compensation consultant for determining the amount or particular form of any Executive's compensation. During 2010, the Company and Committee received advice from Frederic W. Cook & Co., Inc. ("F.W. Cook") with respect to executive compensation practices and trends generally and within the airline industry. The Company and Committee did not retain F.W. Cook or any other outside compensation consultant to make recommendations regarding or to determine, the specific amount or forms of compensation awarded to Executives in 2011. The Company and the Committee may, however, seek the advice of such consultants in the future. The Committee has sole authority to hire and fire outside compensation consultants.

        No Employment and Severance Agreements.    The Executives do not have employment, severance or change-in-control agreements, although the vesting of stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units and performance units generally is accelerated upon a change in control of the Company. The Executives serve at the will of the Board, which enables the Board to terminate the employment of any Executive with discretion as to the terms of any severance. This is consistent with the Company's performance-based employment and compensation philosophy.

        Committee Consideration of Shareholder Advisory Vote.    At the Company's annual meeting of shareholders held in May 2011, the Company submitted the compensation of its named executive officers to the Company's shareholders in a non-binding vote. The Company's executive compensation program received the support of more than 84% of the shares represented at the meeting. The Committee considered the results of the 2011 vote and views the outcome as evidence of strong shareholder support of its executive compensation decisions and policies. Accordingly, the Committee concluded that no significant revisions were necessary to the Company's executive compensation program for 2012. The Committee will continue to review future shareholder voting results, including the voting results with respect to "Proposal 2—Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation" described in this Proxy Statement, and determine whether to make any changes to the Company's executive compensation program in light of such voting results.

Elements of Compensation

        The Company's executive compensation objectives and principles are implemented through the use of the following principal elements of compensation, each discussed more fully below:

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        The compensation objectives for each Executive are more fully described in the following paragraphs.

        Salary.    Salary is provided with the objective of paying for the underlying role and responsibility associated with the Executive's position, which the Committee believes allows the Company to attract and retain qualified executives. The Executives' salaries are set at levels that the Committee believes are generally competitive with the compensation paid to officers in similar positions at other airlines. Salary adjustments are considered annually and influenced by growth of the Company's operations, individual performance, changes in responsibility, changes in cost of living, and other factors. The salaries of the Executives are set forth in the Summary Compensation Table set forth immediately following this section.

        Annual Bonus.    In an effort to encourage achievement of the Company's objectives an annual performance-based bonus plan is maintained for the Executives. The combination of salary and annual bonuses is intended to result in a cash compensation package for each Executive that falls within competitive market standards as determined by the Committee, based on its review and understanding of other regional and major air carrier executive compensation programs, when the performance measures and personal goals are met. The purpose of the bonus plan is to reward the Executives with an annual cash bonus in an amount that correlates (i) in part, to the level of net income of the Company or its operating subsidiaries achieved for the year; and (ii) in part, to the achievement of specific operational goals and individual quantitative and qualitative goals during the year. The 2011 annual bonus objective for Messrs. Atkin, Rich and Holt was 40% of salary based on net income targets established by the Committee and 40% of salary based on the achievement of specific operational and individual goals described below. Mr. Child's annual bonus objective was 60% of salary based on net income targets established by the Committee and 20% of salary based on the achievement of specific operational and individual goals. Mr. Kraupp's annual bonus objective was 30% of salary based on net income targets established by the Committee and 30% of salary based on the achievement of specific operational and individual goals. The differing percentages for the Executives are due to differing entity level responsibilities and the achievement of specific goals and objectives related to that entity.

        In determining annual net income targets to be used for the purpose of determining each bonus amount for the Executives, the Committee began with a return on equity objective, which the Committee believes is a key measure of the financial health of the Company and reflects the Company's development of shareholder value. The Committee then considered the planned budget for the year, timing differences between the Company's actual engine overhaul expenses and the related revenue collected from the Company's major partners, and other unusual or non-recurring items, such as the transition and integration of the ExpressJet Holdings, Inc.'s operations. In the case of Messrs. Atkin, Rich and Kraupp, the applicable net income target was set at a designated amount of net income at the Company level. Because of his primary responsibility with respect to operations of SkyWest Airlines, Mr. Childs' net income target was set as a designated amount of net income of SkyWest Airlines. Similarly, because Mr. Holt was principally engaged with respect to the operations of ExpressJet, his net income target was a designated amount of net income of ExpressJet. At year-end, the Committee reviewed the actual results from net income, as well as other items taken into account in setting the annual net income targets and applied judgment as to the final amounts awarded for the year.

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        2011 Net Income Targets, Net Income Results and Net Income-Based Bonus.    The net income targets, actual net income results and corresponding net income-based bonus, for each Executive for the year ended December 31, 2011 are set forth below as a percentage of each Executive's salary.

 
  Net Income
Target
(in millions)
  Target
Percentage
of Salary
  Net Income
Results
(in millions)
  Net
Income-Based
Bonus
Percentage
 

Jerry C. Atkin

  $ 100.8     40 % $ 0.0     0.0% (1)

Bradford R. Rich

 
$

100.8
   
40

%

$

0.0
   
0.0%

(1)

Michael J. Kraupp

 
$

100.8
   
30

%

$

0.0
   
0.0%

(1)

Russell A. Childs

 
$

82.1
   
60

%

$

58.9
   
43.0%

(2)

Bradford R. Holt

 
$

14.0
   
40

%

$

0.0
   
0.0%

(1)

(1)
For Messrs. Atkin, Rich and Kraupp, the net income-based bonus was zero for 2011, as the Company generated a consolidated net loss. For Mr. Holt, there was no net income-based bonus paid with respect to 2011, as ExpressJet generated a net loss.

(2)
Actual SkyWest Airlines net income-based bonus equals actual SkyWest Airlines 2011 net income, divided by the SkyWest Airlines' net income target, and multiplied by 60% objective

        Individual Goals Bonus Component.    In addition to the portion of the annual bonus based upon achievement of net income targets, a portion of the Executives' annual bonus is based on their achievement of individual goals established in advance each year. The targeted bonus attributable to achievement of individual goals is 40% of salary for Messrs. Atkin, Rich and Holt, 30% of salary for Mr. Kraupp and 20% for Mr. Childs. The actual amount of the bonus payment for each Executive is adjusted by the Committee based on each Executive's achievement of his goals.

        The Committee has adopted this approach because it believes the use of individual goals allows awards to reflect the individual efforts and achievements of an Executive that may not be reflected by corporate net income performance. For fiscal year 2011, the Committee reviewed the individual goals for the Executives. The actual payout of the portion of an Executive's annual bonus incentive related to individual goals is increased or decreased, as applicable, based on the Executive's achievement of his individual goals.

        The goals for Messrs. Atkin, Rich, Childs and Holt include operational performance goals, management development, new business development and development of a strategic plan. The goals for Mr. Kraupp include supporting other finance department officers, developing best practices in the Company's financial management, implementing a cost savings plan, integration of acquisitions, and general corporate development.

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        Achievement of Individual goals and related annual bonus:

 
  Objective
Percentage
Salary
  Individual
Goals
Results
  Individual
Goals
Annual
Bonus(1)
 

Jerry C. Atkin

    40 %   92.5 %   37.0 %

Bradford R. Rich

    40 %   98.8 %   39.5 %

Russell A. Childs

    20 %   93.0 %   18.6 %

Bradford R. Holt

    40 %   80.5 %   32.2 %

Michael J. Kraupp

    30 %   103.3 %   31.0 %

(1)
The amount of the individual goal annual bonus for each Executive is equal to the percentage of the Executive's achievement of his individual goals, multiplied by the objective percentage of salary for that Executive.

        Discretionary Bonus.    In addition to the net income-based annual bonus, and the individual goal annual bonus, the Committee also exercised discretion in 2011 and paid the following discretionary bonuses in recognition of the Executives' efforts to integrate the operations of ExpressJet Holdings, Inc. with and into the operations conducted by Atlantic Southeast Airlines, Inc., challenges of operating shorter stage lengths and lower utilization as mandated by the Company's major partners, challenges in dealing with the reimbursement rates payable under the Company's contracts with its major partners, and challenges in dealing with higher maintenance costs than the Company's management anticipated. Discretionary bonus amounts paid with respect to 2011 were $40,000 for Mr. Atkin, $23,000 for Mr. Rich, $20,000 for Mr. Holt and $4,000 for Mr. Kraupp. Mr. Childs did not receive a discretionary bonus.

        Amount of 2011 Annual Bonus—The total annual bonus amounts payable to the Executives for 2011 were: Mr. Atkin—$188,000; Mr. Rich—$141,500; Mr. Childs—$156,500; Mr. Holt—$102,000 and Mr. Kraupp—$57,000. Those amounts, are included in the amounts shown in the Summary Compensation Table below under the caption headings "Bonus and Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation".

        Long-Term Awards.    Discretionary long-term incentive awards, in the form of stock options, restricted stock units (or, from 2006 through 2009, shares of restricted stock), and performance units payable in cash are granted to the Executives annually.

        Long-term incentive awards are made to encourage the Executives to continue their engagement with the Company throughout the vesting periods of the awards and to align management and shareholder interests. In making awards to the Executives, the grant size and the appropriate combination of equity- based and deferred cash awards is considered. The Committee generally grants long-term incentive awards at its first meeting of each year. Except in the case of accelerated vesting upon a change in control of the Company, long-term incentive awards currently vest only if the Executive remains employed by the Company for three years from the date of grant. The Committee believes the three-year cliff-vesting schedule assists in retaining Executives and encourages the Executives to focus on the Company's long-term performance.

        In granting stock options, restricted stock units and shares of restricted stock to the Executives, the Committee also considers the impact of the grant on the Company's financial performance, as determined in accordance with the requirements of Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718 (ASC Topic 718). For long-term equity awards, the Company records expense in accordance with ASC Topic 718. The amount of expense recorded pursuant to ASC Topic 718 may vary from the corresponding compensation value used in determining the amount of the awards.

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        Amount and allocation of grant—The total annual targeted long-term incentive grant value is 125% of salary and targeted annual bonus for Mr. Atkin, 100% of salary and targeted annual bonus for Messrs. Rich, Childs and Holt and 70% of salary and targeted annual bonus for Mr. Kraupp. The Committee established these targeted amounts to provide a competitive pay package and to ensure that a large portion of each Executive's compensation is based on continuing long-term service and correlated to the creation of shareholder value. This has been the Committee's policy for several years, but is subject to review and continuation or modification each year by the Committee. Mr. Atkin's targeted level of long-term incentive awards is higher than the targeted level of long-term incentive awards for other Executives since he has overall responsibility for the long-term success of the Company. Each Executive's 2011 long-term incentive award was allocated among three types of long-term awards, each with equal value, as follows: stock options, restricted stock units, and performance units payable in cash.

        The three types of awards were used in an effort to link the Executives' long-term incentive compensation with the creation of shareholder value. The value of stock options, restricted stock units and shares of restricted stock is directly related to the value of the Common Stock. The Executives earn performance units payable in cash by meeting return on shareholder equity objectives that the Committee believes also lead to long-term shareholder value, but are not subject to short-term stock market volatility.

        Stock options, restricted stock unit and performance unit grants in 2011 were made pursuant to the Company's 2010 Long-Term Incentive Plan, as shown in greater detail below in the table labeled "Grants of Plan Based Awards."

        Stock Options—Options are granted with an exercise price equal to the closing price per share on the date of grant and vest three years after the date of grant. Grants are made on a systematic schedule, generally one grant per year made at the first Committee meeting of each year.

        The purpose of the one-third weighting on stock options is to tie a significant percentage of the award's ultimate value to increases in the stock price, thereby rewarding increased value to the shareholders. A stock option only has a value to the extent the value of the underlying shares on the exercise date exceeds the exercise price. Accordingly, stock options provide compensation only if the underlying share price increases over the option term and the Executive's employment continues through the vesting date.

        The size of the grant for each Executive is calculated by determining the number of shares with a theoretical future value equal to the targeted compensation for stock options, assuming each option will have a value equal to 33% of its exercise price. This value generally correlates to the ASC Topic 718 value of the awards.

        The Company took additional measures to strengthen the performance- based nature of its long-term incentive award program by subjecting two-thirds of each Executive's stock option grant in 2011 to a performance condition based on the return on shareholder equity attained in the year of grant (in addition to the applicable tenure-based three-year vesting schedule). With respect to stock options, the targeted level of shareholder return on equity for 2011 was 7.1%. All performance-based options granted in 2011 to Executives would be forfeited if 2011 shareholder return on equity was less than 3.50%; forfeiture would have occurred on a pro-rated basis if shareholder return on equity fell between 3.5% and 7.1%. The actual shareholder return on equity for 2011 was zero and as a result, Mr. Atkin forfeited all 39,089 options that were considered performance-based options awarded to him for 2011. Mr. Rich forfeited all 23,454 options that were considered performance-based options awarded to him for 2011 and each of Messrs. Childs and Holt forfeited all 19,857 options that were considered performance-based options awarded to each of them for 2011. Mr. Kraupp was not granted performance-based options in 2011 as he was appointed as the Chief Financial Officer of the Company

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in May 2011, which was subsequent to the Committee's grant of performance-based options in February 2011.

        Restricted Stock Units—The Company also granted restricted stock units to the Executives in 2011. The restricted stock units awarded to an Executive entitle the Executive to receive a designated number of shares of Company common stock upon completion of a three-year vesting period, measured from the date of grant. Until the vesting date the shares underlying restricted stock units are not considered issued and outstanding. Accordingly, the Executive is not entitled to vote or receive dividends on the shares underlying his restricted stock units unless and until those restricted stock units vest. The purpose of the one-third restricted stock unit component is to support continued employment through volatile economic and stock market conditions, to manage dilution overhang, and to align officers' interests with maintaining shareholder value already created. The Committee believes this approach mitigates the incentive for Executives to take unnecessary risks and helps retain the Executives' expertise through continued employment. Recipients of restricted stock units do not pay for the underlying shares once the awards vest; however they must remain employed by the Company for three years to receive the underlying shares. Restricted stock unit awards provide the Executives with an indirect ownership stake in the Company and encourage the Executive to continue employment in order to receive the underlying shares. The compensation value of a restricted stock unit award does not depend solely on future stock price increases; at grant, its value is equal to the Company's stock price. Although its value may increase or decrease with changes in the stock price during the period before vesting, a restricted stock unit award will likely have value even without future stock price appreciation. Accordingly, restricted stock unit awards deliver significantly greater share-for-share compensation value at grant than do stock options, and the Company can offer comparable grant date compensation value with 65% fewer shares than if the grant were made solely with stock options. This results in less dilution of the outstanding shares of Common Stock.

        The annual award of restricted stock units to each Executive for 2011 consisted of the right to receive upon future vesting that number of shares of Company stock having a value on the date of grant equal to one-third of the Executive's aggregate, targeted level of long-term incentive compensation for 2011.

        Performance Units—The remaining component of each Executive's 2011 annual long-term incentive award was a performance unit award payable in cash. The targeted cash amount of each Executive's performance unit award was set at one-third of the Executive's aggregate, targeted level of long-term incentive compensation for 2011. The purpose of the performance unit awards is to reward achievement of a financial efficiency goal that supports shareholder value and reflects real performance without regard to stock market volatility. Under each Executive's performance unit award, a cash bonus is payable three years from the date of grant, based on the return on equity in the year of grant, relative to the return on equity target, and also subject to the Executive's continued employment through the date of payment. The 2011 rate of shareholder return on equity target was set as 7.1%, with the actual amount of cash bonus payable to each Executive to be prorated based upon the extent to which the Company's actual results varied from the target level of performance.

        The 2011 goal for each Executive was based on the Company's return on shareholder equity, and there is no alternative operating company goal set for the Presidents of the operating subsidiaries, thus encouraging teamwork and working towards the creation of long-term value for the Company's shareholders. The return on equity goals are adjusted to exclude accounting timing differences between engine overhauls and related revenue collected from contracts. Earned performance unit awards are paid in cash to reduce share dilution and emphasize the real economic cost of officer incentives. The Company believes that the performance unit grant provides an effective long-term incentive for the Executives to act in the best interests of shareholders, by focusing on return on shareholder equity, which the Committee believes is one of the principal contributing factors to long-term shareholder value.

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        For 2011, the actual adjusted shareholder rate of return on equity was zero due to the results of the net loss, versus the 7.1% targeted adjusted shareholder rate of return on equity. As a result of not generating a return on equity for 2011, Mr. Atkin forfeited $300,000 in performance units payable in cash that were considered performance-based, Mr. Rich forfeited $180,000 in performance units payable in cash that were considered performance-based, Messrs. Childs and Holt each forfeited $152,400 in performance units payable in cash that were considered performance-based and Mr. Kraupp forfeited $43,645 in performance units payable in cash that were considered performance-based.

        The return on equity target, actual return on equity, performance units granted, and the performance units earned (subject to forfeiture if the vesting period is not met) for the year ended December 31, 2011 were as follows:

 
  Return on
Equity
Target
  Actual
Return
on Equity
  Performance
Units
Granted
  Performance
Units
Earned
 

Jerry C. Atkin

    7.1 %   0 % $ 300,000   $ 0  

Bradford R. Rich

    7.1 %   0 % $ 180,000   $ 0  

Russell A. Childs

    7.1 %   0 % $ 152,400   $ 0  

Bradford R. Holt

    7.1 %   0 % $ 152,400   $ 0  

Michael J. Kraupp

    7.1 %   0 % $ 62,350   $ 18,705 (1)

        The following table summarizes the number and nature of long-term awards granted to the Executives by the Board on February 2, 2011.

 
  Time Vested LTI   Performance-Contingent LTI  
 
  Options   Shares/Stock
Units
  Options(2)   Shares/Stock
Units
  Other Units
(Cash)(2)
 

Jerry C. Atkin

    19,545     19,342     39,089     0   $ 300,000  

Bradford R. Rich

    11,727     11,605     23,454     0   $ 180,000  

Russell A. Childs

    9,929     9,826     19,857     0   $ 152,400  

Bradford R. Holt

    9,929     9,826     19,857     0   $ 152,400  

Michael J. Kraupp

    12,185     4,020         0   $ 62,350  

(1)
The Committee approved an earned amount of 30% of the 2011 target for Mr. Kraupp as he was not a named executive officer in February 2011 when the grant was made.

(2)
Number of options and performance units if 100% of target achieved. Company did not achieve targets in 2011 and these amounts were forfeited by Messrs. Atkin, Rich, Childs, and Holt. See (1) for impact to Mr. Kraupp

Retirement Benefits.

        The Company and SkyWest Airlines sponsor a 401(k) retirement plan for their eligible employees, including the Executives other than Mr. Holt. ExpressJet also maintains a substantially equivalent 401(k) plan for its eligible employees, including Mr. Holt. Both plans are broad based, tax-qualified retirement plans under which eligible employees, including the Executives, may make annual pre-tax salary reduction contributions subject to the various limits imposed under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"). The sponsoring employers make matching contributions under the plans on behalf of eligible participants; however the right of Executives and other officers to such matching contributions is limited. The Committee believes that maintaining the 401(k) retirement plans and providing a means to save for retirement is an essential part of a competitive compensation package necessary to attract and retain talented executives.

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        The Company also maintains the SkyWest, Inc. 2002 Deferred Compensation Plan, a non-qualified deferred compensation plan for the benefit of officers and other highly compensated employees. All of the Executives participate in the SkyWest, Inc. 2002 Deferred Compensation Plan. ExpressJet also maintains a separate but similar non-qualified deferred compensation plan, the ExpressJet Executive Deferred Compensation Plan, for its highly compensated management employees, including Mr. Holt. Under both such deferred compensation plans (the "Deferred Compensation Plans"), the employer credits each Executive's account with a discretionary employer contribution equal to 15% of salary and annual bonus. These amounts are included in the Summary Compensation Table under the column "All Other Compensation."Additional information on the Deferred Compensation Plans is found in the section "Non Qualified Deferred Compensation for 2011," below.

        The SkyWest Inc. 2002 Deferred Compensation Plan (but not the ExpressJet Executive Deferred Compensation Plan) also permits eligible executives, including the Executives, to elect in advance of each calendar year to defer up to 100% of their cash salary and annual bonus compensation for the year. None of the Executives elected to defer any portion of his salary or annual bonus for 2011. The Company and its subsidiaries do not maintain any defined benefit pension plans for the Executives.

        Other Benefits.    In additional to the benefits described above, the Company provides certain other benefits to the Executives that the Committee believes are generally consistent with the benefits provided to senior executives of other airlines. The Committee believes that those benefits, which are detailed in the footnotes to the Summary Compensation Table applicable to the heading "All Other Compensation" below, are reasonable, competitive and consistent with overall executive compensation objectives. Those benefits consist primarily of employer-paid premiums on health, dental and eye insurance, a personal automobile allowance, and use of Company owned recreational equipment.

        The Company and its subsidiaries also maintain a non-discriminatory, broad based program under which all full-time employees and their dependents, including the Executives and their dependents, may fly without charge on a space available basis on regularly scheduled flights of aircraft operated by the Company's operating airline subsidiaries.

Ownership Guidelines

        The Company maintains ownership guidelines for the Executives to encourage the alignment of their interests with the long-term interests of the s shareholders. Each Executive is required to maintain a minimum ownership interest in the Company. The guideline ownership level is a number of shares of Common Stock having a value equal to six times annual base salary for Mr. Atkin, and three times annual base salary for Messrs. Rich, Childs, Holt and one times annual base salary for Mr. Kraupp. Mr. Atkin and Mr. Rich met the guidelines at the end of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011. Messrs. Child, Holt and Kraupp have been in their positions for only a few years or less, and the Committee believes they are making progress towards the ownership guideline each year. The holdings of the Executives are summarized in the table entitled "Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners", below.

Deductibility of Executive Compensation

        Section 162(m) of the Code imposes a $1 million annual limit on the amount that a publicly-traded company may deduct for compensation paid to the company's principal executive officer during a tax year or to any of the company's three other most highly compensated executive officers who are still employed at the end of the tax year (other than the Company's principal financial officer). The limit does not apply to compensation that meets the requirements of Section 162(m) of the Code for "qualified performance-based compensation" (i.e., compensation paid only if the executive meets pre-established, objective goals based upon performance criteria approved by the Company's shareholders). The Committee reviews and considers the deductibility of executive compensation under Section 162(m) of the Code. In certain

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situations, the Committee may approve compensation that will not meet the requirements of Code Section 162(m) in order to ensure competitive levels of total compensation for its executive officers. Stock options awarded to the Executives during 2011 were intended to constitute "qualified performance-based compensation" under Section 162(m) of the Code. The Company's 2011 restricted stock unit grants, 2011 long-term performance unit awards (to the extent the applicable performance goals were waived) and 2011 performance-based annual bonuses, however, were not "qualified performance-based compensation."

Effect of Compensation on Risk

        Based on the Committee's review of the various elements of the Company's executive compensation practices and policies, the Committee believes the Company's compensation policies and practices are designed to create appropriate and meaningful incentives for the Company's employees without encouraging excessive or inappropriate risk taking. Among other factors, The Committee considered the following information:

        Based on the review outlined above, the Company has concluded that the risks arising from its compensation policies and practices for its employees are not reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company.

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COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT

        The Compensation Committee has reviewed the foregoing compensation discussion and analysis and discussed with the Company's management the information set forth herein. Based on such review and discussions with management, the Compensation Committee recommended to the Board that the foregoing compensation discussion and analysis be included in this proxy statement.

The Compensation Committee

Henry J. Eyring, Chairman
Margaret S. Billson
Steven F. Udvar-Hazy

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SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE

        The table below summarizes the total compensation paid to or earned by each of the Executives for the years indicated.

(a)   (b)   (c)   (d)   (e)   (f)   (g)   (h)   (i)  
Name and Principal
Position
  Year   Salary
($)
  Discretionary
Bonus
($)(1)
  Stock
Awards
($)(2)
  Option
Awards
($)(2)
  Bonus and
Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation
($)(3)
  All Other
Compensation
($)
  Total
($)
 

Jerry C. Atkin

    2011   $ 400,000   $ 40,000   $ 300,000   $ 100,070   $ 148,000   $ 126,601 (4) $ 1,114,671  

Chairman and Chief

    2010   $ 384,200   $ 0   $ 288,150   $ 288,150   $ 579,340   $ 120,487 (5) $ 1,660,327  

Executive Officer

    2009   $ 373,000   $ 0   $ 251,780   $ 438,128   $ 454,054   $ 126,304 (6) $ 1,643,266  

Bradford R. Rich

   
2011
 
$

300,000
 
$

23,000
 
$

180,000
 
$

60,042
 
$

118,500
 
$

97,857

(7)

$

779,399
 

President

    2010   $ 279,100   $ 0   $ 167,460   $ 167,460   $ 376,185   $ 95,965 (8) $ 1,086,170  

    2009   $ 271,000   $ 0   $ 146,334   $ 254,654   $ 308,821   $ 95,292 (9) $ 1,076,101  

Russell A. Childs

   
2011
 
$

254,000
 
$

0
 
$

152,400
 
$

50,836
 
$

156,500
 
$

89,179

(10)

$

702,915
 

President and Chief

    2010   $ 247,200   $ 0   $ 148,320   $ 148,320   $ 346,476   $ 89,441 (11) $ 979,757  

Operating Officer—

    2009   $ 240,000   $ 0   $ 129,601   $ 225,526   $ 292,940   $ 89,039 (12) $ 977,106  

SkyWest Airlines, Inc.

                                                 

Bradford R. Holt

   
2011
 
$

254,000
 
$

20,000
 
$

152,400
 
$

50,836
 
$

82,000
 
$

80,521

(13)

$

639,757
 

President and Chief

    2010   $ 231,800   $ 15,000   $ 139,080   $ 139,080   $ 281,576   $ 77,148 (14) $ 883,684  

Operating Officer—

    2009   $ 225,000   $ 25,000   $ 121,493   $ 210,105   $ 221,075   $ 74,780 (15) $ 877,453  

ExpressJet

                                                 

Michael J. Kraupp

   
2011
 
$

172,000
 
$

4,200
 
$

62,350
 
$

62,387
 
$

71,505
 
$

44,923

(16)

$

417,365
 

Chief Financial Officer

                                                 

And Treasurer

                                                 

(1)
Column (d) shows discretionary bonuses approved by the Compensation Committee and earned by Messrs. Atkin, Rich, Holt and Kraupp.

(2)
These columns show the full grant date fair market value of the options granted as computed under ASC Topic 718 and the expense attributable to restricted stock and restricted stock unit awards (excluding estimates for forfeitures in case of awards with service-based vesting). These amounts do not reflect the extent to which the Executive realized an actual financial benefit from the awards. Assumptions and methodologies used in the calculation of these amounts are included in footnotes to the Company's audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2011 which are included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

(3)
The amounts in column (g) include the annual performance bonus amounts earned in the year indicated based on performance in that year and paid in the subsequent year. As described in the section entitled "Compensation Discussion and Analysis" above, annual performance bonuses payable to the Executives are calculated based upon the financial performance of the Company or its subsidiaries and also the achievement of individual goals. The target amount of each Executive's annual performance bonus opportunity for 2011 is reported in the "Grants of Plan-Based Awards for 2011" table below. The amounts of such annual performance bonuses actually earned in 2011 and paid in 2012 were: Mr. Atkin—$148,000; Mr. Rich—$118,500; Mr. Childs—$156,500; Mr. Holt—$82,000. Mr. Kraupp's annual performance bonus is paid quarterly rather than annually.

The amounts in column (g) also include the amounts of performance unit awards granted in 2011 and earned based on 2011 shareholder return on equity, but payable in cash in 2014 and subject to forfeiture in the event of termination of employment within three years of the applicable date of grant in 2011. The target amount for each Executive's performance unit grant for 2011 is reported in the "Grants of Plan-Based Awards for 2011" table below. The amounts of those performance unit awards actually earned for 2011 were Mr. Atkin—$0; Mr. Rich—$0; Mr. Childs—$0; Mr. Holt—$0 and Mr. Kraupp—$18,705.

(4)
All other compensation for Mr. Atkin for 2011 consists of $103,157 of employer credits under the SkyWest Deferred Compensation Plan attributable to compensation earned for 2011; $1,436 in employer-paid health insurance

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(5)
All other compensation for Mr. Atkin for 2010 consists of: $100,185 of employer credits under the SkyWest Deferred Compensation Plan attributable to compensation earned for 2010; $3,645 in employer-paid health insurance premiums; $11,485 for a personal vehicle lease; $4,075 for personal use of the Company's recreational equipment; and $1,200 in discretionary matching contributions under the SkyWest 401(k) Plan.

(6)
All other compensation for Mr. Atkin for 2009 consists of: $99,510 of employer credits under the SkyWest Deferred Compensation Plan attributable to compensation earned for 2009; $2,644 in employer-paid health insurance premiums; $15,161 for a personal vehicle lease; $3,189 for personal use of the Company's recreational equipment; $4,600 for country club dues; and $1,097 in discretionary matching contributions under the SkyWest 401(k) Plan.

(7)
All other compensation for Mr. Rich for 2011 consists of: $78,064 of employer credits under the SkyWest Deferred Compensation Plan attributable to compensation earned for 2011; $1,994 in employer-paid health insurance premiums; $14,270 for a personal vehicle allowance; $2,855 for personal use of the Company's recreational equipment; and $674 in discretionary matching contributions under the SkyWest 401(k) Plan.

(8)
All other compensation for Mr. Rich for 2010 consists of: $72,615 of employer credits under the SkyWest Deferred Compensation Plan attributable to compensation earned for 2010; $4,166 in employer-paid health insurance premiums; $13,920 for a personal vehicle allowance; $4,166 for personal use of the Company's recreational equipment; and $1,189 in discretionary matching contributions under the SkyWest 401(k) Plan.

(9)
All other compensation for Mr. Rich for 2009 consists of: $72,705 of employer credits under the SkyWest Deferred Compensation Plan attributable to compensation earned for 2009; $4,149 in employer-paid health insurance premiums; $13,920 for a personal vehicle allowance; $3,189 for personal use of the Company's recreational equipment; and $1,329 in discretionary matching contributions under the SkyWest 401(k) Plan.

(10)
All other compensation for Mr. Childs for 2011 consists of: $69,454 of employer credits under the SkyWest Deferred Compensation Plan attributable to compensation earned for 2011; $1,994 in employer-paid health insurance premiums; $14,283 for a personal vehicle lease; $2,855 for personal use of the Company's recreational equipment; and $593 in discretionary matching contributions under the SkyWest 401(k) Plan.

(11)
All other compensation for Mr. Childs for 2010 consists of: $66,225 of employer credits under the SkyWest Deferred Compensation Plan attributable to compensation earned for 2010; $4,166 in employer-paid health insurance premiums; $13,966 for a personal vehicle lease; $4,075 for personal use of the Company's recreational equipment and $1,009 in discretionary matching contributions under the SkyWest 401(k) Plan.

(12)
All other compensation for Mr. Childs for 2009 consists of: $67,305 of employer credits under the SkyWest Deferred Compensation Plan attributable to compensation earned for 2009; $3,466 in employer-paid health insurance premiums; $13,965 for a personal vehicle lease; $3,189 for personal use of the Company's recreational equipment and $1,114 in discretionary matching contributions under the SkyWest 401(k) Plan.

(13)
All other compensation for Mr. Holt for 2011 consists of: $61,917 of employer credits under the ExpressJet Deferred Compensation Plan attributable to compensation earned for 2011; $1,949 in employer-paid health insurance premiums; $13,800 for a personal vehicle lease; and $2,855 for personal use of the Company's recreational equipment.

(14)
All other compensation for Mr. Holt for 2010 consists of: $57,885 of employer credits under the ExpressJet Deferred Compensation Plan attributable to compensation earned for 2010; $3,905 in employer-paid health insurance premiums; $13,563 for a personal vehicle lease; and $4,075 for personal use of the Company's recreational equipment.

(15)
All other compensation for Mr. Holt for 2009 consists of: $55,065 of employer credits under the ExpressJet Deferred Compensation Plan attributable to compensation earned for 2009; $3,674 in employer-paid health insurance premiums; $12,852 for a personal vehicle lease; and $3,189 for personal use of the Company's recreational equipment.

(16)
All other compensation for Mr. Kraupp for 2011 consists of: $39,543 of employer credits under the SkyWest Deferred Compensation Plan attributable to compensation earned for 2011; $1,994 in employer-paid health insurance premiums; $2,855 for personal use of the Company's recreational equipment; and $531 in discretionary matching contributions under the SkyWest 401(k) Plan.

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GRANTS OF PLAN-BASED AWARDS FOR 2011

        The following table provides information about non-equity based and equity- based plan awards granted to the Executives for the year ended December 31, 2011:

(a)   (b)   (c)   (d)   (e)   (f)   (g)   (h)  
Name
  Grant Date   Estimated
Possible
Payouts
Under
Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Awards Target
($)
  Estimated
Possible
Payouts
Under Equity
Incentive Plan
Awards Target
(# shares)
  All Other
Stock
Awards:
Number of
Shares of
Stock
(# shares)
  All Other
Option
Awards:
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Options
(# shares)
  Exercise
Price of
Options
Awards
($S/share)(1)
  Grant Date
Full Fair
Value(2)
 

Jerry C. Atkin

    2-Feb-2011 (3)(4) $ 300,000     39,089     19,342     19,545   $ 15.51   $ 600,000  

Bradford R. Rich

   
2-Feb-2011

(3)(4)

$

180,000
   
23,454
   
11,605
   
11,727
 
$

15.51
 
$

360,000
 

Russell A. Childs

   
2-Feb-2011

(3)(4)

$

152,400
   
19,857
   
9,826
   
9,929
 
$

15.51
 
$

304,802
 

Bradford R. Holt

   
2-Feb-2011

(3)(4)

$

152,400
   
19,857
   
9,826
   
9,929
 
$

15.51
 
$

304,802
 

Michael J. Kraupp

   
2-Feb-2011

(3)(4)

$

62,350
   
   
4,020
   
12,185
 
$

15.51
 
$

124,700
 

(1)
The exercise price of the options of $15.51 per share was the market closing price of the Common Stock on the date of grant.

(2)
Column (h) shows the full grant date fair market value of the options granted in 2011 as computed under ASC Topic 718 and the expense attributable to restricted stock unit awards granted in 2011 (excluding the effect of estimates for forfeitures). Assumptions and methodologies used in the calculation of these amounts are included in footnotes to the Company's audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2011, which are included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

(3)
On February 2, 2011, the Company granted stock options, restricted stock units and performance unit awards payable in cash pursuant to the 2010 Long-Term Incentive Plan. Each Executive's target level of performance unit grant is listed in column (c). Two-thirds of the shares underlying the awards made to each of Messrs. Atkin, Rich, Childs and Holt was a performance-based equity incentive plan award and is listed in column (d). Mr. Kraupp was not granted any performance-based options as they were granted prior to his appointment as Chief Financial Officer. The remaining one-third of the shares underlying each Executive's stock option grant was not performance-based and is listed in column (f). The number of shares of Company common stock underlying each restricted stock unit award earned for year 2011 and payable in 2014, are shown in column (e). All of the long-term incentive awards shown in columns (d) through (f) vest on the third anniversary of the date of grant (with earlier acceleration if the Executive is terminated in connection with a change in control).

(4)
The performance-based options and performance units were originally granted based on achieving a targeted return on equity. The Company generated a net loss for 2011 resulting in no return on equity and forfeiture of the performance-based options and performance units. As a result, Mr. Atkin forfeited performance-based options and performance-based units payable in cash having a value of $500,069; Mr. Rich forfeited performance-based options and performance based units payable in cash having a value of $300,045; Mr. Childs forfeited performance-based options and performance-based units payable in cash having a value of $254,034 and Mr. Holt forfeited performance-based options and performance-based units payable in cash having a value of $254,034. Mr. Kraupp was appointed as the Chief Financial Officer in May 2011, after the performance-based options were granted in February 2011 and was not granted performance-based options. Mr. Kraupp did, however, forfeit $43,645 in performance-based units payable in cash.

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OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT YEAR-END

        This table provides information on the year-end 2011 holdings of stock options and other stock awards (restricted stock and restricted stock units) by the Executives.

 
  Option Awards   Stock Awards  
(a)
Name
  (b)
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options
Exercisable (#)
  (c)
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options
Unexercisable (#)
  (d)
Option
Exercise
Price ($)
  (e)
Option
Expiration
Date(4)
  (f)
Number of
Shares or
Share Units
That
Have Not
Vested (#)
  (g)
Market
Value of
Shares or
Share Units That
Have Not
Vested(5) ($)
 

Jerry C. Atkin

    104,000       $ 26.24     5-Feb-12          

    94,540       $ 10.57     4-Feb-13          

    104,000       $ 19.18     3-Feb-14          

    188,000       $ 17.11     1-Feb-15          

    61,100       $ 23.80     2-May-13          

    59,281       $ 26.84     6-Feb-14          

    59,281         $ 25.80     6-Feb-15          

        99,124 (1) $ 15.24     4-Feb-16     16,521 (1) $ 207,999  

        60,282 (2) $ 14.49     3-Feb-17     19,886 (2) $ 250,365  

        19,545 (3) $ 15.51     2-Feb-18     19,342 (3) $ 243,516  

Bradford R. Rich

   
50,000
   
 
$

26.24
   
5-Feb-12
   
   
 

    50,000       $ 10.57     4-Feb-13          

    50,000       $ 19.18     3-Feb-14          

    100,000       $ 17.11     1-Feb-15          

    35,400       $ 23.80     2-May-13          

    34,467       $ 26.84     6-Feb-14          

    34,467         $ 25.80     6-Feb-15          

        57,614 (1) $ 15.24     4-Feb-16     9,602 (1) $ 120,889  

        35,034 (2) $ 14.49     3-Feb-17     11,557 (2) $ 145,502  

          11,727 (3) $ 15.5     2-Feb-18     11,605 (3) $ 146,107  

Russell Childs

   
4,000
   
 
$

26.24
   
5-Feb-12
   
   
 

    40,000       $ 17.11     1-Feb-15          

    8,800       $ 23.80     2-May-13          

    8,589       $ 26.84     6-Feb-14          

    13,597       $ 27.37     6-Feb-14          

    13,142         $ 25.80     6-Feb-15          

        51,024 (1) $ 15.24     4-Feb-16     8,504 (1) $ 124,530  

        31,029 (2) $ 14.49     3-Feb-17     10,236 (2) $ 149,905  

        9,929 (3) $ 15.51     2-Feb-18     9,826 (3) $ 123,709  

Bradford R. Holt

   
8,800
   
 
$

23.80
   
8-May-13
   
   
 

    8,867       $ 26.84     6-Feb-14          

    48,000       $ 17.11     1-Feb-15          

    26,211       $ 25.80     6-Feb-15          

        47,835 (1) $ 15.24     4-Feb-16     7,972 (1) $ 100,367  

        29,094 (2) $ 14.49     3-Feb-17     9,597 (2) $ 120,826  

          9,929 (3) $ 15.51     2-Feb-18     9,826 (3) $ 123,709  

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  Option Awards   Stock Awards  
(a)
Name
  (b)
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options
Exercisable (#)
  (c)
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options
Unexercisable (#)
  (d)
Option
Exercise
Price ($)
  (e)
Option
Expiration
Date(4)
  (f)
Number of
Shares or
Share Units
That
Have Not
Vested (#)
  (g)
Market
Value of
Shares or
Share Units That
Have Not
Vested(5) ($)
 

Michael J. Kraupp                              

    18,000       $ 26.24     5-Feb-12          

    8,500       $ 23.80     8-May-13          

    8,451       $ 15.24     6-Feb-14          

    36,000       $ 17.11     1-Feb-15          

    8,451       $ 25.80     6-Feb-15          

        15,531 (1) $ 15.24     4-Feb-16     3,883 (1) $ 48,887  

        12,692 (2) $ 14.49     3-Feb-17     4,187 (2) $ 52,714  

        12,185 (3) $ 15.51     2-Feb-18     4,020 (3) $ 50,612  

                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
                           

(1)
Awards vested on February 4, 2012.

(2)
Awards scheduled to vest on February 3, 2013.

(3)
Awards scheduled to vest on February 2, 2014.

(4)
Stock options awarded through 2005 expire ten years from date of grant. Stock options granted in 2006 and after expire seven years from date of grant.

(5)
Based on market closing price per share of Common Stock of $12.59 on December 30, 2011.


OPTION EXERCISES AND STOCK VESTED

        Stock options exercised and shares of restricted stock that vested for the Executives during the year ended December 31, 2011 are outlined below.

 
  Option Awards   Stock Awards  
(a)
Name
  (b)
Number of Shares
Acquired On Exercise
(#)(1)
  (c)
Value Realized
on Exercise
($)
  (d)
Number of Shares
Acquired on Vesting
(#)
  (e)
Value Realized
on Vesting
($)
 

Jerry C. Atkin

            4,940   $ 76,175  

Bradford R. Rich

            2,872   $ 44,286  

Russell A. Childs

            2,512   $ 38,735  

Bradford R. Holt

            2,184   $ 33,677  

Michael J. Kraupp

            2,113   $ 32,582  

(1)
No stock options were exercised by Executives during the year ended December 31, 2011.

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NON-QUALIFIED DEFERRED COMPENSATION FOR 2011

        Pursuant to the SkyWest Deferred Compensation Plan and the ExpressJet Deferred Compensation Plan, covered Executives may elect prior to the beginning of each calendar year to defer the receipt of base salary and annual performance bonuses earned for the ensuing calendar year. Amounts deferred are credited to an unfunded liability account maintained by the Company on behalf of the applicable Executive, which account is deemed invested in and earns a rate of return based upon certain notational, self-directed investment options offered under the applicable plan.

        Each Executive's account under the SkyWest Deferred Compensation Plan and ExpressJet Deferred Compensation Plan, as applicable, is also credited with a discretionary employer contribution monthly, whether or not the Executive contributes. For 2011 that discretionary employer contribution was 15% of the Executive's salary and annual bonus. Participant account balances under the SkyWest and ExpressJet Deferred Compensation Plans are fully vested and will be paid by the Company to each Executive upon retirement or separation from employment, or on other specified dates, in a lump sum form or in installments according to a schedule elected in advance by the Executive.

        The following table provides information regarding the SkyWest Deferred Compensation Plan for the Executives for the year ended December 31, 2011:

(a)
Name(1)
  (b)
Executive
Contributions in
Last Year
($)
  (c)
Registrant
Contributions in
Last Year
($)(2)
  (d)
Aggregate
Earnings in
Last Year
($)(3)
  (e)
Aggregate
Withdrawals/
Distributions in
Last Year
($)
  (f)
Aggregate
Balance at
Last Year
End ($)
 

SkyWest

                               

Jerry C. Atkin

      $ 103,157   $ (17,385 )     $ 1,979,279  

Bradford R. Rich

      $ 78,064   $ 31,724       $ 1,168,126  

Russell A. Childs

      $ 69,454   $ 13,278       $ 524,069  

Bradford R. Holt

      $ 0   $ 2,055   $ (110,000 )   392,219  

Michael J. Kraupp

      $ 39,543   $ (7,433 )     $ 506,914  

(1)
For 2011, Messrs. Atkin, Rich, Childs and Kraupp were covered by the SkyWest Deferred Compensation Plan only and Mr. Holt was covered by both the SkyWest Deferred Compensation Plan (as to contributions for years prior to 2009 and earnings thereon only) and the ExpressJet Deferred Compensation Plan (with respect to contributions for 2009 through 2011 and earnings thereon).

(2)
The amounts in column (c) reflect the amounts of employer contributions credited under the applicable deferred compensation plan for 2011 at the rate of 15% of each Executive's 2011 base salary and 2010 bonus which was paid in 2011 or actual bonuses paid in 2010. The amounts reported in column (c) are also included in the amounts reported in the "Other Compensation" column of the Summary Compensation Table appearing above.

(3)
The amounts in column (d) reflect the notational earnings during 2011 credited to each Executive's account under the SkyWest Deferred Compensation Plan. These amounts are not reported in the Summary Compensation Table because they are based on market rates determined by reference to mutual funds that are available to participants in the SkyWest 401(k) Plan or otherwise broadly available.

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        The table below shows the funds available for notational investment under the SkyWest Deferred Compensation Plan, and the annual rate of return for the calendar year ended December 31, 2011:

Name of Fund
  Rate of Return  

NVIT Money Market Fund Class I

    0.00 %

PIMCO VIT Total Return Admin

    3.61 %

PIMCO VIT Real Return Admin

    11.67 %

Invesco Van Kampen V.I. Growth & Income I

    (2.01 )%

Dreyfus Stock Index Initial

    1.88 %

American Fund IS Growth 2

    (4.28 )%

Nationwide NVIT Mid Cap Index I

    (2.54 )%

Fidelity VIP Mid Cap Svc

    (10.72 )%

AllianceBernstein VPS Small/Mid Cap Value A

    (8.39 )%

Royce Capital Small Cap

    (3.28 )%

Ivy VIP Small Cap Growth

    (10.60 )%

MFS VIT II International Value Svc

    (1.78 )%

Invesco VIF International Growth I

    (6.74 )%

        The following table provides information regarding the ExpressJet Deferred Compensation Plan for Mr. Holt for 2011.

(a)
Name
  (b)
Executive
Contributions in
Last Year
($)
  (c)
Registrant
Contributions in
Last Year
($)(1)
  (d)
Aggregate
Earnings in
Last Year
($)(2)
  (e)
Aggregate
Withdrawals/
Distributions in
Last Year
($)
  (f)
Aggregate
Balance at
Last Year
End ($)
 

Bradford R. Holt

      $ 61,917   $ 1,968       $ 211,983  

(1)
The amount in column (c) reflects the employer contributions credited in 2011 at the rate of 15% of Mr. Holt's 2011 base salary and 2010 bonus which was paid in 2011. The amount reported in column (c) is also included in the amount reported in the "Other Compensation" column of the Summary Compensation Table appearing above.

(2)
The amounts in column (d) reflect the notational earnings during 2011 credited to Mr. Holt's account under the ExpressJet Deferred Compensation Plan. This amount is not reported in the Summary Compensation Table because it is based on market rates determined by reference to mutual funds that are available to participants in the ExpressJet 401(k) Plan or, in certain cases, otherwise broadly available.

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Table of Contents

        The table below shows the funds available under the ExpressJet Deferred Compensation Plan, and the annual rate of return for the calendar year ended December 31, 2011:

Name of Fund
  Rate of Return  

American Century Equity Income-Inst

    3.93 %

American Century International Growth-Inst

    (11.68 )%

American Century Premium Money Market-Inv

    0.01 %

American Century Short-Term Government-Inv

    1.54 %

American Century Strategic Alloc Aggressive-Inv

    (1.93 )%

American Century Strategic Alloc Conservative-Inv

    3.42 %

American Century Strategic Alloc Moderate-Inv

    0.54 %

American Century Value-Inst

    0.97 %

Buffalo Small Cap

    (4.66 )%

JPMorgan Equity Index-Select

    1.96 %

JPMorgan Large Cap Growth-R6

    3.18 %

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POTENTIAL PAYMENTS UPON TERMINATION OR CHANGE IN CONTROL

        The information below describes and quantifies certain payments or benefits that would be payable under the existing plans and programs of the Company and its subsidiaries if an Executive's employment had terminated on December 31, 2011, or the Company had undergone a change in control on December 31, 2011. These benefits are in addition to benefits generally available to all salaried employees of the Company in connection with a termination of employment, such as distributions from the 401(k) Plans, disability and life insurance benefits, the value of employee-paid group health plan continuation coverage under the Consolidated Omnibus Reconciliation Act, or "COBRA" and accrued vacation pay. The Executives do not have any other severance benefits, severance agreements or change-in-control agreements.

        Accelerated Vesting of Stock Options and Stock Awards Upon Change In Control.    Under the Company's prior long-term incentive plans, all outstanding stock options, shares of restricted stock, restricted stock units and performance units held by an Executive on December 31, 2011, would have become fully vested upon a "change in control" without regard to whether the Executive terminated employment in connection with or following the change in control. The Company's long-term incentive plans generally define a "change in control" as any of the following events: (i) the acquisition by any person of 50% or more of the Company's voting shares, (ii) replacement of a majority of the Company's directors within a two-year period under certain conditions, or (iii) shareholder approval of a merger in which the Company is not the surviving entity, sale of substantially all of the Company's assets or liquidation. The following table shows for each Executive the intrinsic value of his unvested stock option, unvested restricted stock and unvested restricted stock units and performance units as of December 31, 2011, that would have been accelerated had a change in control of the Company occurred on that date, calculated by multiplying the number of underlying shares by the closing price of the Common Stock on the last trading day of 2011 ($12.59 per share) and, in the case of stock options, by then subtracting the applicable option exercise price:

Name
  Early Vesting
of Stock
Options
  Early Vesting
of Restricted
Stock
  Early Vesting
of Restricted
Stock Units
  Early Vesting
of Performance
Units
 

Jerry C. Atkin

  $ 0   $ 207,995   $ 493,881   $ 459,296  

Bradford R. Rich

  $ 0   $ 120,894   $ 291,610   $ 266,395  

Russell A. Childs

  $ 0   $ 107,065   $ 252,581   $ 236,416  

Bradford R. Holt

  $ 0   $ 100,373   $ 244,536   $ 226,922  

Michael J. Kraupp

  $ 0   $ 48,884   $ 103,326   $ 127,105  

        If a change in control with respect to the Company results in acceleration of vesting of an Executive's otherwise unvested stock options, unvested restricted stock, unvested restricted stock units or performance unit awards, and if the value of such acceleration equals or exceeds three times the Executive's average W-2 compensation with the Company for the five taxable years preceding the year of the change in control (the "Base Period Amount"), the acceleration would result in an excess parachute payment under Code Section 280G. An Executive would be subject to a 20% excise tax on any such parachute payment in excess of the Base Period Amount, and the Company would be unable to deduct the amount of the parachute payment in excess of the Base Period Amount for tax purposes. The Company has not agreed to provide its Executives with any gross-up or reimbursement for excise taxes imposed on excess parachute payments.

        Deferred Compensation.    If an Executive had his terminated employment with the Company on December 31, 2011, the Executive would have become entitled to receive the balance in his account under the applicable deferred compensation plan. Distribution would be made in the form of a lump sum or in installments, and in accordance with the distributions schedule elected by the Executive under the applicable plan. The 2011 year-end account balances under those plans are shown in column (e) in the applicable Non-qualified Deferred Compensation Tables set forth above. An Executive's account balance would continue to be credited with notational investment earnings or losses through the date of actual distribution.

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DIRECTOR COMPENSATION

        The Company uses a combination of cash and stock-based incentive compensation to attract and retain qualified candidates to serve as directors. In setting director compensation, the Company considers the significant amount of time that directors expend in fulfilling their duties to the Company, as well as the skill level required by the Company of its directors. Each director is encouraged to own at least 8,000 shares of Common Stock.

Cash Compensation Paid to Directors

        For the year ended December 31, 2011, all directors who were not employees of the Company received an annual cash retainer of $33,000 and attendance fees of $1,800 for each in-person Board meeting attended, $1,700 for each in-person Audit & Finance Committee meeting attended, $1,350 for each in-person Compensation Committee meeting attended, $1,350 for each in-person Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee meeting attended and $1,350 for each in-person Safety and Compliance Committee meeting attended. Non-employee directors who participated in telephonic meetings of the Board or its committees were also paid $850 for each telephonic Board meeting, $800 for each telephonic Audit & Finance Committee meeting and $750 for each telephonic Compensation Committee meeting, $750 for each telephonic Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee meeting and $750 for each telephonic Safety and Compliance Committee meeting. The Chairman of the Audit & Finance Committee was paid an annual fee of $15,000, the Chairman of the Compensation Committee was paid an annual fee of $5,000, the Chairman of Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee was paid an annual fee of $4,000, the Chairman of the Safety and Compliance Committee was paid an annual fee of $4,020 and the Lead Director was paid an annual fee of $4,000. In addition, the Company paid to Steven F. Udvar-Hazy, a director of the Company, an industry expert fee of $6,000 during the year ended December 31, 2011. Jerry C. Atkin, who is the Chairman of the Board and an employee of the Company, received no compensation for his service on the Board.

Stock Awards

        Each non-employee director receives a stock award annually. On February 2, 2011, each of the non-employee directors received an award of 3,353 shares of Common Stock, representing $52,000 of value based on the closing price of the Common Stock on the date of award. The Company did not grant stock options to its non-employee directors in 2011.

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DIRECTOR SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE FOR 2011

        The table below summarizes the compensation paid by the Company to its non-employee directors for the year ended December 31, 2011.

(a)   (b)   (c)   (d)   (e)   (f)   (g)  
Name(1)
  Fees Earned or
Paid in Cash
($)
  Stock
Awards
($)(2)
  Option
Awards
($)(3)
  Change in
Pension Value
and Deferred
Compensation
Earnings
($)
  All Other
Compensation
($)
  Total
($)
 

J. Ralph Atkin

  $ 54,600   $ 52,000               $ 106,600  

Margaret S. Billson

  $ 50,650   $ 52,000               $ 102,650  

Ian M. Cumming

  $ 52,350   $ 52,000               $ 104,350  

Henry J. Eyring

  $ 58,250   $ 52,000               $ 110,250  

Robert G. Sarver

  $ 49,200   $ 52,000               $ 101,200  

Steven F. Udvar-Hazy

  $ 60,495   $ 52,000               $ 112,495  

James L. Welch

  $ 65,550   $ 52,000               $ 117,550  

Michael K. Young(4)

  $ 34,190   $ 52,000               $ 86,190  

(1)
Jerry C. Atkin, the Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, is not included in the foregoing table as he is an employee of the Company and receives no monetary compensation for his services as Chairman of the Board.

(2)
Represents the closing price of the Common Stock awarded on the grant date of February 2, 2011, of $15.51 per share, multiplied by the 3,353 shares granted to each non-employee director. That amount is the aggregate grant date fair market value of awards as computed under ASC Topic 718. All such shares of Common Stock are fully vested.

(3)
As of December 31, 2011, each of the following non-employee directors of the Company held unexercised options to purchase the following number of shares of Common Stock: J. Ralph Atkin: 36.000; Ian M. Cumming: 40,000; Henry J. Eyring: 14,500; Robert G. Sarver: 40,000; Steven F. Udvar-Hazy: 32,000.

(4)
Mr. Young resigned as a director of the Company on August 2, 2011.

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SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS

Security Ownership of Directors and Executive Officers

        The following table sets forth the beneficial ownership of the Common Stock as of March 2, 2012, for each director and nominee for director, each Executive, and by all directors (including nominees) and Executives of the Company as a group.

Name
  Common
Stock
  Options
Exercisable
  Unvested
Restricted
Shares
  Total   Beneficial
Ownership(1)
 

Jerry C. Atkin

    1,550,396     665,326     66,027     2,281,749     4.5 %

Bradford R. Rich

    30,982     361,948     37,634     430,564       (2)

Russell A. Childs

    11,157     152,152     32,315     195,624       (2)

Bradford R. Holt

    10,967     139,713     31,675     182,355       (2)

Michael J. Kraupp

    3,732     76,933     13,475     94,140       (2)

Robert G. Sarver

    39,193     32,000           71,193       (2)

Ian M. Cumming

    37,193     32,000           69,193       (2)

J. Ralph Atkin

    22,193     28,000           50,193       (2)

Steven F. Udvar-Hazy

    24,793     24,000           48,793       (2)

Henry J. Eyring

    17,253     6,500           23,753       (2)

Margaret S. Billson

    17,393               17,393       (2)

James L. Welch

    17,393               17,393       (2)

All officers and directors as a group (13 persons)

    1,782,645     1,518,572     181,126     3,482,843     6.8 %

(1)
Based on 50,919,499 shares outstanding as of March 2, 2012.

(2)
Less than one percent of the total shares outstanding as of March 2, 2012.

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Table of Contents

Security Ownership of Other Beneficial Owners

        As of March 2, 2012, the Company's records and other information available from outside sources indicated that the following shareholders were beneficial owners of more than five percent of the outstanding shares of Common Stock. The information following is as reported in their filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company is not aware of any other beneficial owner of more than 5% of the Common Stock.

 
  Amount of Beneficial
Ownership
 
 
  Common Stock  
Name
  Shares   Percent of Class  

Tradewinds Global Investors, LLC
2049 Century Park East
Los Angeles, CA 90067

    9,439,756     18.5 %

Dimensional Fund Advisors LP
6300 Bee Cave Road
Austin, TX 78746

   
4,286,082
   
8.4

%

Black Rock, Inc.
40 East 52nd Street
New York, NY 10022

   
3,817,534
   
7.5

%

Franklin Resources Inc.
One Franklin Parkway
San Mateo, CA 94403

   
3,808,536
   
7.5

%

FMR, LLC
82 Devonshire Street
Boston, MA 02109

   
2,725,364
   
5.4

%

Vanguard Group Inc.
100 Vanguard Blvd
Malvern, PA 19355

   
2,670,509
   
5.2

%

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PROPOSAL 2
ADVISORY VOTE ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Background

        Section 14A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended ("Section 14A"), which was enacted pursuant to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, requires that the Company provide its shareholders with the opportunity to vote on an advisory (non-binding) resolution to approve the compensation of the Executives (referred to as a "Say-on-Pay" proposal) as disclosed in this Proxy Statement.

        Accordingly, the following resolution will be submitted to the Company's shareholders for approval at the Meeting:

As described in detail under the heading "Compensation Discussion and Analysis," the Board believes the Company's compensation of the Executives achieves the primary goals of (i) attracting and retaining experienced, well-qualified executives capable of implementing the Company's strategic and operational objectives, (ii) aligning management compensation with the creation of shareholder value on an annual and long-term basis, and (iii) linking a substantial portion of the Executives' compensation with long-term Company performance and the achievement of pre-determined goals, while at the same time avoiding the encouragement of unnecessary or excessive risk-taking. The Board encourages you to review in detail the Compensation Discussion and Analysis beginning on page 23 of this Proxy Statement and the executive compensation tables beginning on page 34 of this Proxy Statement. In light of the information set forth in such sections of this Proxy Statement, the Board believes the compensation of the Executives for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011 was fair and reasonable and that the Company's compensation programs and practices are in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders.

        The vote on this Say-on-Pay resolution is not intended to address any specific element of compensation; rather, the vote relates to all aspects of the compensation of the Executives, as described in this Proxy Statement. While this vote is only advisory in nature, which means that the vote is not binding on the Company, the Board or the Compensation Committee (which is composed solely of independent directors), the Board and the Compensation Committee value the opinion of the Company's shareholders and will consider the outcome of the vote when addressing future compensation arrangements.

Voting

        Approval of the resolution above (on a non-binding, advisory basis) requires that the number of votes cast at the Meeting, in person or by proxy, in favor of the resolution exceeds the number of votes cast in opposition to the resolution.

The Board and the Compensation Committee Recommend that Shareholders
Vote
FOR Approval of the Compensation of the Executives, as disclosed in this Proxy Statement.

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PROPOSAL 3
RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

        The Audit and Finance Committee has recommended and approved the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as the Company's independent registered public accounting firm (independent auditors) to examine the consolidated financial statements of the Company for the year ending December 31, 2012. The Company is seeking shareholder ratification of such action.

        It is expected that representatives of Ernst & Young LLP will attend the Meeting and be available to make a statement or respond to appropriate questions.

The Board and the Audit and Finance Committee Recommend that Shareholders
Vote
FOR the Ratification of Appointment of
Ernst & Young LLP as the Company's Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
(Independent Auditors).

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AUDIT & FINANCE COMMITTEE DISCLOSURE

Who served on the Audit and Finance Committee?

        The members of the Audit and Finance Committee as of December 31, 2011, were James L. Welch (Chair), Henry J. Eyring, Robert G. Sarver and Ian M. Cumming. Each member of the Audit and Finance Committee has been determined by the Board to be independent under the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission and The Nasdaq Global Select Market. The Board has determined that Robert G. Sarver, who served on the Audit and Finance Committee throughout the year ended December 31, 2011, is an "audit committee financial expert" as defined in Item 401(h) (2) of Regulation S-K promulgated under the Exchange Act.

What document governs the activities of the Audit and Finance Committee?

        The Audit and Finance Committee acts under a written charter, which sets forth its responsibilities and duties, as well as requirements for the Audit and Finance Committee's composition and meetings. The Audit and Finance Committee charter is available on the Company's website at www.SkyWest.com, and is also available in print, free of charge, upon request. Requests for a printed copy of the Audit and Finance Committee charter should be submitted to Michael J. Kraupp, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of the Company, at 444 South River Road, St. George, Utah 84790.

How does the Audit and Finance Committee conduct its meetings?

        During the year ended December 31, 2011, the Audit and Finance Committee met with the senior members of the Company's financial management team at each of its regular scheduled quarterly meetings. The Audit and Finance Committee also met with representatives of Ernst & Young, LLP ("E&Y"), the Company's independent registered public accounting firm, at each of its in-person meetings and met with representatives of Protiviti, Inc. ("Protiviti"), the Company's principal internal auditor, at several of its meetings. Agendas for the Audit and Finance Committee's meetings are established by the Chairman of the Audit and Finance Committee, after consultation with the Company's Chief Accounting Officer. At those meetings, the Audit and Finance Committee reviewed and discussed the Company's financial performance, financial reporting practices, various financial and regulatory issues, accounting and financial management issues, developments in the accounting profession, as well as the Company's industry, risk management and a summary of calls received on the Company's anonymous reporting line. The Audit and Finance Committee also had separate, executive sessions from time to time with representatives of E&Y, the Company's Chief Financial Officer, Protiviti and the Company's legal counsel, at which meetings candid discussions of financial management, accounting, internal controls and legal and compliance issues took place. Additionally, the Chairman of the Audit and Finance Committee had separate discussions regularly with the Chief Accounting Officer and representatives of E&Y, Protiviti and the Company's legal counsel.

Does the Audit and Finance Committee review the periodic reports and other public financial disclosures of the Company?

        The Audit and Finance Committee reviews each of the Company's quarterly and annual reports, including Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations. As part of its review, the Audit and Finance Committee discusses the reports with the Company's management and independent registered public accounting firm and considers the audit and review reports prepared by the independent registered public accounting firm about the Company's quarterly and annual reports, as well as related matters such as the quality (and not just the acceptability) of the Company's accounting practices, alternative methods of accounting under generally accepted accounting principles in the United States ("GAAP") and the preferences of the independent registered public

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accounting firm in this regard, the Company's critical accounting policies and the clarity and completeness of the Company's financial and other disclosures.

Did the Audit and Finance Committee play any role in connection with the Company's report on internal controls?

        The Audit and Finance Committee reviewed management's report on internal control over financial reporting, required under Section 404 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002 and related rules. As part of this review, the Audit and Finance Committee reviewed the bases for management's conclusions in that report, and also reviewed the report of the independent registered public accounting firm on internal control over financial reporting. Throughout the year ended December 31, 2011, the Audit and Finance Committee reviewed management's plan for documenting and testing controls, the results of their documentation and testing, any deficiencies discovered and the resulting remediation of any such deficiencies.

What is the role of the Audit and Finance Committee in connection with the financial statements and controls of the Company?

        Management of the Company has primary responsibility for the Company's financial statements and internal control over the Company's financial reporting. The Company's independent registered public accounting firm has responsibility for the integrated audit of the Company's financial statements and internal control over financial reporting. It is the responsibility of the Audit and Finance Committee to oversee financial and control matters, among other responsibilities fulfilled by the Audit and Finance Committee under its charter. The Audit and Finance Committee meets regularly with representatives of E&Y and Protiviti, without the presence of management, to ensure candid and constructive discussions about the Company's compliance with accounting standards and best practices among public companies comparable in size and scope to the Company. The Audit and Finance Committee also regularly reviews with its outside advisors material developments in the law and accounting literature that may be pertinent to the Company's accounting financial reporting practices.

Does the Audit and Finance Committee have any policy-making responsibility?

        From time to time, the Audit and Finance Committee establishes certain policies as required by the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the listing standards of The Nasdaq Global Select Market. For example, the Audit and Finance Committee has established a policy for the receipt and retention (including on an anonymous basis) of complaints about financial and control matters. The Audit and Finance Committee also has implemented a policy that addresses when the Company may recruit personnel who formerly were employed by the Company's independent registered public accounting firm. In other cases, the Audit and Finance Committee is responsible for overseeing the efficacy of management policies, including compliance with the Company's Code of Ethics and the availability of perquisites.

What matters have members of the Audit and Finance Committee discussed with the independent registered public accounting firm?

        In its meetings with representatives of E&Y, the Audit and Finance Committee asked E&Y to address and discuss their responses to several questions that they believed were particularly relevant to its oversight. These questions included:

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        The Audit and Finance Committee has also discussed with E&Y that they are retained by the Audit and Finance Committee and that they must raise any concerns about the Company's financial reporting and procedures directly with the Audit and Finance Committee. Based on these discussions and its discussions with management, the Audit and Finance Committee believes it has a basis for its oversight judgments and for recommending that the Company's audited financial statements be included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011.

What has the Audit & Finance Committee done with regard to the Company's audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2011?

        The Audit and Finance Committee has:

Has the Audit and Finance Committee considered the independence of the Company's independent registered public accounting firm?

        The Audit and Finance Committee has received from E&Y the written disclosures and the letter required by Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1, Independence Discussions with Audit and Finance Committees, and has discussed with the firm its independence. The Audit and Finance Committee has concluded that E&Y is independent from the Company and its management.

Has the Audit and Finance Committee made a recommendation regarding the audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2011?

        Based upon its review and the discussions with management and the Company's independent registered public accounting firm, the Audit and Finance Committee recommended to the Board that the audited consolidated financial statements for the Company be included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011.

Does the Audit and Finance Committee provide a periodic report of its activities to the Board?

        The Audit and Finance Committee provides reports of its activities at each regularly scheduled Board meeting.

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Has the Audit and Finance Committee reviewed the fees paid to the Company's independent registered public accounting firm during the year ended December 31, 2011?

        The Audit and Finance Committee has reviewed and discussed the fees paid to E&Y during the year ended December 31, 2011, for audit, audit-related, tax and other services, which are set forth below under "Fees Paid to Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm." Because the Company did not pay to E&Y any fees for non-audit services during the years ended December 31, 2011, the Audit and Finance Committee was not required to assess whether E&Y's delivery of non-audit services is compatible with E&Y's independence.

What is the Company's policy regarding the retention of the Company's independent registered public accounting firm?

        The Audit and Finance Committee has adopted a policy regarding the retention of the independent registered public accounting firm that requires pre-approval of all services by the Audit and Finance Committee or the Chairman of the Audit and Finance Committee. When services are pre-approved by the Chairman of the Audit and Finance Committee, notice of such approvals is given to the other members of the Audit and Finance Committee and presented to the full Audit and Finance Committee at its next scheduled meeting.


FEES PAID TO INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

Audit Fees

        During the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, the Company paid E&Y fees in the aggregate amount of $947,000 and $1,014,000, respectively, for the annual audit of the Company's financial statements, the quarterly reviews of the Company's financial statements included in its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, audits of the closing balance sheets of certain businesses acquired, and the review of the Company's registration statements.

Audit-Related Fees

        During the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, the Company paid fees to E&Y for audit-related services of $0 and $35,000, respectively.

Tax Fees

        During the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, the Company paid E&Y fees in the aggregate amount of $0 and $35,000 , respectively, for tax services.

All Other Fees

        During the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, E&Y did not provide any services to the Company, and the Company did not pay to E&Y any fees, other than those identified above

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REPORT OF THE AUDIT & FINANCE COMMITTEE

        In connection with the financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2011, the Audit and Finance Committee has:

        Based upon these reviews and discussions, the Audit and Finance Committee recommended to the Board at the February 15, 2012 meeting of the Board that the Company's audited financial statements be included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Board approved this inclusion.

The Audit & Finance Committee

James L. Welch. Chairman
Henry J. Eyring
Robert G. Sarver
Ian M. Cumming

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SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE

        The Company's executive officers, directors and 10% shareholders are required under Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, to file reports of ownership and changes in ownership with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Copies of these reports must also be furnished to the Company.

        Based solely on a review of copies of reports furnished to the Company, or written representations that no reports were required, the Company believes that during 2011 its executive officers, directors and 10% holders complied with all filing requirements of Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.


SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR THE 2013 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

        If any shareholder intends to present a proposal to be considered for inclusion in the Company's proxy material in connection with the Company's 2013 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, the proposal must be in proper form (per SEC Regulation 14A, Rule 14a-8—Shareholder Proposals) and received by the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of the Company on or before November 9, 2012. Shareholder proposals to be presented at the 2013 Annual Meeting of Shareholders which are not to be included in the Company's proxy materials must be received by the Company no earlier than January 30, 2013, nor later than February 23, 2013, in accordance with the procedures set forth in the Company's Bylaws.

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DELIVERY OF DOCUMENTS TO SHAREHOLDERS SHARING AN ADDRESS

        In instances in which multiple holders of the Common Stock share a common address and are the beneficial owners, but not the record holders, of those shares of Common Stock, the holders' banks, brokers or other nominees may only deliver one copy of this Proxy Statement and the Company's 2011 Annual Report to Shareholders, unless the applicable bank, broker or nominee has received contrary instructions from one or more of the shareholders. The Company will deliver promptly, upon written request, a separate copy of this Proxy Statement and the Company's 2011 Annual Report to Shareholders to any shareholder at a shared address to which a single copy of the documents was delivered. A shareholder who wishes to receive a separate copy of this Proxy Statement and the Company's 2011 Annual Report to Shareholders should submit a request in writing to Michael J. Kraupp, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of the Company, 444 South River Road, St. George, Utah 84790. Beneficial owners sharing an address who are receiving multiple copies of proxy materials and annual reports and who wish to receive a single copy of such materials in the future will need to contact their broker, bank or other nominee to request that only a single copy of each document be mailed to all shareholders at the shared address in the future.


OTHER BUSINESS

        The Company's management does not know of any other matter to be presented for action at the Meeting. However, if any other matters should be properly presented at the Meeting, it is the intention of the persons named in the accompanying proxy to vote said proxy in accordance with their best judgment.

Michael J. Kraupp
Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

St. George, Utah

March 15, 2012

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1 1 12345678 12345678 12345678 12345678 12345678 12345678 12345678 12345678 000000000000 NAME THE COMPANY NAME INC. - COMMON 123,456,789,012.12345 THE COMPANY NAME INC. - CLASS A 123,456,789,012.12345 THE COMPANY NAME INC. - CLASS B 123,456,789,012.12345 THE COMPANY NAME INC. - CLASS C 123,456,789,012.12345 THE COMPANY NAME INC. - CLASS D 123,456,789,012.12345 THE COMPANY NAME INC. - CLASS E 123,456,789,012.12345 THE COMPANY NAME INC. - CLASS F 123,456,789,012.12345 THE COMPANY NAME INC. - 401 K 123,456,789,012.12345 x 02 0000000000 JOB # 1 OF 2 1 OF 2 PAGE SHARES CUSIP # SEQUENCE # THIS PROXY CARD IS VALID ONLY WHEN SIGNED AND DATED. KEEP THIS PORTION FOR YOUR RECORDS DETACH AND RETURN THIS PORTION ONLY TO VOTE, MARK BLOCKS BELOW IN BLUE OR BLACK INK AS FOLLOWS: Signature (Joint Owners) Signature [PLEASE SIGN WITHIN BOX] Date Date CONTROL # SHARES To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee(s), mark “For All Except” and write the number(s) of the nominee(s) on the line below. 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0000124742_1 R1.0.0.11699 For Withhold For All All All Except The Board of Directors recommends you vote FOR the following: 1. Election of Directors Nominees 01 Jerry C. Atkin 02 J. Ralph Atkin 03 Margaret S. Billson 04 Ian M. Cumming 05 Henry J. Eyring 06 Robert G. Sarver 07 Steven F. Udvar-Hazy 08 James L. Welch 09 W. Steve Albrecht SKYWEST, INC. ATTN: MICHAEL KRAUPP 444 SOUTH RIVER ROAD ST. GEORGE, UT 84790 Investor Address Line 1 Investor Address Line 2 Investor Address Line 3 Investor Address Line 4 Investor Address Line 5 John Sample 1234 ANYWHERE STREET ANY CITY, ON A1A 1A1 VOTE BY INTERNET - www.proxyvote.com Use the Internet to transmit your voting instructions and for electronic delivery of information up until 11:59 P.M. Eastern Time the day before the cut-off date or meeting date. Have your proxy card in hand when you access the web site and follow the instructions to obtain your records and to create an electronic voting instruction form. Electronic Delivery of Future PROXY MATERIALS If you would like to reduce the costs incurred by our company in mailing proxy materials, you can consent to receiving all future proxy statements, proxy cards and annual reports electronically via e-mail or the Internet. To sign up for electronic delivery, please follow the instructions above to vote using the Internet and, when prompted, indicate that you agree to receive or access proxy materials electronically in future years. VOTE BY PHONE - 1-800-690-6903 Use any touch-tone telephone to transmit your voting instructions up until 11:59 P.M. Eastern Time the day before the cut-off date or meeting date. Have your proxy card in hand when you call and then follow the instructions. VOTE BY MAIL Mark, sign and date your proxy card and return it in the postage-paid envelope we have provided or return it to Vote Processing, c/o Broadridge, 51 Mercedes Way, Edgewood, NY 11717. The Board of Directors recommends you vote FOR proposals 2 and 3. For Against Abstain 2 To approve, by non-binding vote, the compensation of the company's named executive officers. 3 To ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young, LLP as independent registered public accounting firm. NOTE: Such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment thereof. Michael J. Kraupp

 


0000124742_2 R1.0.0.11699 Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Annual Meeting: The Annual Report, Notice & Proxy Statement is/ are available at www.proxyvote.com . PROXY THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF SKYWEST, INC. The undersigned hereby appoint(s) Jerry C. Atkin and Michael J. Kraupp and each of them, with the power to act without the other and with power of substitution, as proxies and attorneys-in-fact and herby authorizes them to represent and vote, as provided on the other side, all the shares of SkyWest , Inc. Common Stock which the undersigned is entitled to vote and, in their discretion, to vote upon such other business as may properly come before the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held at 11:00 a.m., MDT on May 1, 2012 at the SkyWest headquarters located at 444 South River Road, St. George, Utah, and any adjournment thereof, with all powers which the undersigned would possess if present at the Meeting. THIS PROXY CARD, WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED, WILL BE VOTED IN THE MANNER DIRECTED HEREIN BY THE UNDERSIGNED. IF NO DIRECTION IS MADE BUT THE CARD IS SIGNED, THIS PROXY CARD WILL BE VOTED FOR THE ELECTION OF ALL NOMINEES UNDER PROPOSAL 1, FOR PROPOSAL 2, FOR PROPOSAL 3, AND IN THE DISCRETION OF THE PROXIES WITH RESPECT TO SUCH OTHER BUSINESS AS MAY PROPERLY COME BEFORE THE MEETING. Continued and to be signed on reverse side