SkyWest, Inc. (NASDAQ:SKYW) Q1 2026 Earnings Call Transcript

US jet fuel costs are rising ahead of summer travel as US-Iran tensions raise concerns about disruptions near the Strait of Hormuz, according to US DOT data. Fuel costs jumped 78% to nearly $6.5bn in April and the per-gallon price rose to $4.11. IATA projects 2026 net profit of $23bn (vs ~$41bn prior). Airlines’ margins are expected to be weakest since COVID; some carriers cut or suspend flights.

United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby said the company is open to acquiring airport slots, gates and other assets from struggling rivals. He defended a proposed United–American merger as consumer-beneficial, but said American’s management support was not available. Kirby said JetBlue is unlikely to become a better target even if it filed for Chapter 11. The article cites IATA warnings that higher jet fuel costs could drive more budget-carrier failures.

IATA said global airlines’ 2026 net profit forecast was cut nearly in half to $23 billion from about $41 billion previously, citing higher jet fuel costs and Gulf corridor disruptions tied to the Iran conflict. IATA expects 2026 revenue above $1.1 trillion but fuel costs rising to about $350 billion this year from ~$252 billion in 2025.

PR Newswire’s June 5 recap highlights May press releases including United’s offer of price-capped one-way tickets for Spirit customers after flight cancellations, and eBay’s rejection of an unsolicited GameStop proposal. It also notes Lilly’s Phase 3 retatrutide obesity results, a telecom satellite joint venture, and other corporate updates, plus May holiday and earnings-related trends.

United Airlines’ Q1 2026 earnings transcript says the company ended 2025 with its highest credit rating in nearly three decades and is targeting full recovery of jet-fuel price increases and double-digit pretax margins in 2027. United reported Q1 operating revenue up 10.6% to $14.6B, with TRASM up 6.9% YoY. It also cited on-time performance, record app usage, and a tentative flight-attendant agreement pending May 12 voting.

Asian stocks mostly fell Tuesday as renewed fighting raised concerns for the U.S.-Iran ceasefire; U.S. futures also declined. Japan’s Nikkei 225 fell 0.3% to 66,734.24 and South Korea’s Kospi slipped 0.2% to 8,772.08, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng rose 2.2%. Oil prices edged down but remained well above prewar levels, pressuring fuel-heavy airlines.