A new audit report by the Office of the Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has raised widespread concerns about the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) oversight of SkyWest Airlines' maintenance practices.
According to the report, the FAA has not fully complied with its own guidelines and has failed to resolve persistent problems at the regional carrier, which flies on behalf of major US airlines, over the past four years. In particular, the so-called "remote return-to-service" maintenance practices, which allow for remote monitoring of problems without the presence of on-site technicians, are at the center of criticism. While the FAA is committed to addressing most of the deficiencies, the report highlights the tensions between regulators and airlines and raises questions about the safety of regional air travel.
Persistent Deficiencies: SkyWest's Remote Return-to-Service Practices
The DOT Inspector General's report, which investigated the FAA's oversight of SkyWest, comes to a sobering conclusion. Since 2021, the Certificate Management Office (CMO) the FAA, which is responsible for monitoring SkyWest, the problems with the remote return-to-service maintenance practices not fully resolved. These practices represent a system in which the airline can resolve flight operations problems without the physical presence of technicians at the respective location. FAA inspectors expressed frustration that their efforts were delayed by the airline. Some inspectors even stated that they were concerned that these maintenance practices could contribute to an accident.
The report found that the FAA's CMO does not always follow its own policies when addressing deficiencies at SkyWest. While 26 of 32 identified issues are considered resolved, the deficiencies related to remote maintenance remain. The auditors identified several other problematic practices at SkyWest, including “unreasonable postponement of maintenance work” for minimal equipment, the Aircraft taking off without the required inspections and the use of pilots for maintenance tasks not authorized in the airline's maintenance manuals. Added to this is a lack of cooperation, as SkyWest delayed access to data for the CMO.
SkyWest Airlines, which operates a fleet of 580 aircraft including CRJ200s, CRJ550s, CRJ700s, CRJ900s and Embraer E175s, is one of the largest regional airlines in the United States. It operates flights on behalf of major airlines such as United Airlines (as United Express), Delta Air Lines (as Delta Connection), American Airlines (as American Eagle) and Alaska Airlines (as Alaska SkyWest) Because of these contract flights, SkyWest's safety is also of utmost importance to its larger partner airlines.
In a statement to the aviation portal ch-aviation, SkyWest acknowledged the report's findings. The company emphasized that safety is its highest priority and the foundation of its operations. It has taken numerous measures in recent years, including a change in CMO leadership, to identify and address deficiencies.
The regulatory authority under criticism: FAA failures and planned measures
The DOT Inspector General's report focuses not only on SkyWest, but also on the regulatory agency itself. The identified deficiencies in the FAA's oversight raise the question of whether the agency is sufficiently staffed and structured to ensure safety in an increasingly complex air traffic landscape. FAA inspectors, who expressed frustration over the delays in addressing the deficiencies, clearly feel inadequately supported in their efforts.
The DOT report has a total seven recommendations to improve the FAA's oversight of SkyWest's maintenance operations. According to a report by Reuters, the FAA six of the seven recommendations approved and announced that they will July 2026 The planned measures include reviewing and adapting supervisory guidelines to ensure that CMOs can perform their role more effectively, as well as introducing better mechanisms to enforce compliance among airlines.
This case demonstrates how complex and lengthy the process of overseeing major airlines can be. The FAA, which has faced various challenges in the past, including the review of the Boeing 737 MAX, is under pressure to strengthen its oversight functions to restore public confidence in aviation safety.
The company's expansion and union concerns
In addition to the maintenance problems, SkyWest Airlines is also focusing on another issue: the development of its subsidiary SkyWest CharterThe company is seeking authorization to operate scheduled passenger flights as a commuter carrier. However, this application has met with significant opposition from unions.
The unions argue that approving SkyWest Charter's certificate could pose safety risks, regulatory gaps, and regulatory challenges. They fear that the new subsidiary could attempt to circumvent the more stringent labor and safety requirements for regular flight operations. In February 2025, the DOT determined that SkyWest Charter was fit to conduct these operations but has not yet issued a final decision granting certification. Concerns raised by the unions, who are closely monitoring the situation, could delay the final decision.
The creation of SkyWest Charter is a strategic attempt to expand into new market segments and strengthen the company's position in the aviation industry. However, the current audit findings and union concerns could hamper the company's plans to diversify its business areas and complicate final approval.
Trust and security as top priority
The DOT Inspector General's report on SkyWest Airlines and the FAA is an important wake-up call for the entire aviation industry. It underscores the need for robust and relentless oversight to ensure passenger safety. The identified deficiencies in maintenance practices and oversight lapses demonstrate that there is room for improvement in both areas. It will be critical for SkyWest Airlines to address the identified deficiencies quickly and transparently to restore the confidence of regulators, partner airlines, and, most importantly, passengers. The company's ability to address the concerns of the FAA and the unions will significantly impact not only the future of the proposed subsidiary but also SkyWest's position as one of the leading regional carriers in the United States. The aviation industry is built on trust, and that trust is secured through consistent adherence to safety standards and effective oversight.