SkyValue
Encyclopedia
SkyValue, formally known as SkyValue USA, was a seasonal American low-cost
airline , that was headquartered in Fort Lauderdale
, Florida, and for the 2006–07 winter season, its only season of operations, operated from a hub at Gary/Chicago International Airport
(GYY) in Gary
, Indiana, which lies 25 miles southeast of the Chicago Loop
.
to five "sunny" locations offering 5 flights a day.. Service from December 15, 2006, to April 2007 was offered as a test run, with service to continue if it was proved successful. The winter season was extremely successful with over 10,000 passengers which made possible federal grants awarded to support the cost and expansion of the Gary Airport to become Chichago's "3rd" airport. SkyValue was operated as a "scheduled charter" service, with aircraft wet lease
d from Xtra Airways
.
The tour operator added a 3rd weekly flight from its hub at Gary/Chicago International Airport
to the airline's most popular destination, Mesa, Arizona
which is located in the Phoenix
area.
On April 27, 2007, SkyValue announced they would be ending service as planned to all destinations on May 6, 2007 and would consider providing the service for the next season.
During the 2006–07 winter season, SkyValue flew to 5 destinations throughout the United States.
. The airline kept this aircraft until April 23, 2007, when the 737–800 (in all economy class configuration) was returned to Xtra Airways for a smaller Boeing 737–400 aircraft (in a business/economy class configuration). SkyValue has optioned for a year-long lease on the 737-400 which expired in April 2008.
Low-cost carrier
A low-cost carrier or low-cost airline is an airline that generally has lower fares and fewer comforts...
airline , that was headquartered in Fort Lauderdale
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Fort Lauderdale is a city in the U.S. state of Florida, on the Atlantic coast. It is the county seat of Broward County. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 165,521. It is a principal city of the South Florida metropolitan area, which was home to 5,564,635 people at the 2010...
, Florida, and for the 2006–07 winter season, its only season of operations, operated from a hub at Gary/Chicago International Airport
Gary/Chicago International Airport
Gary/Chicago International Airport is a public airport located three miles northwest of the central business district of Gary, a city in Lake County, Indiana, United States. The airport, which serves the Chicago metropolitan area, is 25 miles southeast of the Chicago Loop...
(GYY) in Gary
Gary, Indiana
Gary is a city in Lake County, Indiana, United States. The city is in the southeastern portion of the Chicago metropolitan area and is 25 miles from downtown Chicago. The population is 80,294 at the 2010 census, making it the seventh-largest city in the state. It borders Lake Michigan and is known...
, Indiana, which lies 25 miles southeast of the Chicago Loop
Chicago Loop
The Loop or Chicago Loop is one of 77 officially designated Chicago community areas located in the City of Chicago, Illinois. It is the historic commercial center of downtown Chicago...
.
History
On October 13, 2006, Sky Value USA, part of C First Class Corp.brand, announced that it would begin flights on 737-200 aircraft beginning December from Gary/Chicago International AirportGary/Chicago International Airport
Gary/Chicago International Airport is a public airport located three miles northwest of the central business district of Gary, a city in Lake County, Indiana, United States. The airport, which serves the Chicago metropolitan area, is 25 miles southeast of the Chicago Loop...
to five "sunny" locations offering 5 flights a day.. Service from December 15, 2006, to April 2007 was offered as a test run, with service to continue if it was proved successful. The winter season was extremely successful with over 10,000 passengers which made possible federal grants awarded to support the cost and expansion of the Gary Airport to become Chichago's "3rd" airport. SkyValue was operated as a "scheduled charter" service, with aircraft wet lease
Wet lease
Aircraft leases are a number of types of leases used by airlines and other aircraft operators. Airlines lease aircraft from other airlines or leasing companies for two main reasons; to operate aircraft without the financial burden of buying them, and to provide temporary increase in capacity...
d from Xtra Airways
Xtra Airways
Xtra Airways is a charter airline based in Boise, Idaho, USA. The airline is certificated by the FAA to conduct Domestic, Flag and Supplemental operations with Boeing 737 aircraft.-History:...
.
The tour operator added a 3rd weekly flight from its hub at Gary/Chicago International Airport
Gary/Chicago International Airport
Gary/Chicago International Airport is a public airport located three miles northwest of the central business district of Gary, a city in Lake County, Indiana, United States. The airport, which serves the Chicago metropolitan area, is 25 miles southeast of the Chicago Loop...
to the airline's most popular destination, Mesa, Arizona
Mesa, Arizona
According to the 2010 Census, the racial composition of Mesa was as follows:* White: 77.1% * Hispanic or Latino : 26.54%* Black or African American: 3.5%* Two or more races: 3.4%* Native American: 2.4%...
which is located in the Phoenix
Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix is the capital, and largest city, of the U.S. state of Arizona, as well as the sixth most populated city in the United States. Phoenix is home to 1,445,632 people according to the official 2010 U.S. Census Bureau data...
area.
On April 27, 2007, SkyValue announced they would be ending service as planned to all destinations on May 6, 2007 and would consider providing the service for the next season.
Destinations
Arizona
- PhoenixPhoenix, ArizonaPhoenix is the capital, and largest city, of the U.S. state of Arizona, as well as the sixth most populated city in the United States. Phoenix is home to 1,445,632 people according to the official 2010 U.S. Census Bureau data...
/MesaMesa, ArizonaAccording to the 2010 Census, the racial composition of Mesa was as follows:* White: 77.1% * Hispanic or Latino : 26.54%* Black or African American: 3.5%* Two or more races: 3.4%* Native American: 2.4%...
(Phoenix-Mesa Gateway AirportPhoenix-Mesa Gateway AirportPhoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport , formerly Williams Gateway Airport and Williams Air Force Base , is a commercial airport located in the southeastern area of the city of Mesa, Arizona, and southeast of Phoenix, in Maricopa County, Arizona, United States. The airport is owned and operated by the...
) winter-only seasonal service
Florida
- OrlandoOrlando, FloridaOrlando is a city in the central region of the U.S. state of Florida. It is the county seat of Orange County, and the center of the Greater Orlando metropolitan area. According to the 2010 US Census, the city had a population of 238,300, making Orlando the 79th largest city in the United States...
(Orlando International AirportOrlando International AirportOrlando International Airport is a major international airport located southeast of the central business district of Orlando. It is the second busiest airport in Florida, after Miami International Airport...
) - St. PetersburgSt. Petersburg, FloridaSt. Petersburg is a city in Pinellas County, Florida, United States. It is known as a vacation destination for both American and foreign tourists. As of 2008, the population estimate by the U.S. Census Bureau is 245,314, making St...
/ClearwaterClearwater, FloridaClearwater is a city located in Pinellas County, Florida, US, nearly due west of Tampa and northwest of St. Petersburg. In the west of Clearwater lies the Gulf of Mexico and in the east lies Tampa Bay. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 108,787. It is the county seat of...
(St. Petersburg-Clearwater International AirportSt. Petersburg-Clearwater International AirportSt. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport is a joint civil-military airport located in unincorporated Pinellas County, Florida, north of St. Petersburg, serving St...
)
Schedule
During its only year of operation, SkyValue operated the following schedule:| Day of Week | Route |
|---|---|
| Sunday | Gary/Chicago – St. Petersburg/Clearwater – Orlando – Gary/Chicago Gary/Chicago – Las Vegas – Gary/Chicago |
| Monday | Gary/Chicago – Mesa/Phoenix – Gary/Chicago |
| Tuesday | No routes scheduled |
| Wednesday | Gary/Chicago – Mesa/Phoenix – Gary/Chicago |
| Thursday | Gary/Chicago – St. Petersburg/Clearwater – Orlando – Gary/Chicago Gary/Chicago – Las Vegas – Gary/Chicago |
| Friday | Gary/Chicago – Mesa/Phoenix – Gary/Chicago |
| Saturday | Gary/Chicago – St. Petersburg/Clearwater – Orlando – Gary/Chicago |
Retired Fleet
When SkyValue began scheduled passenger service on December 15, 2006, they originally operated a Boeing 737–800 aircraft which was wet leased from Xtra AirwaysXtra Airways
Xtra Airways is a charter airline based in Boise, Idaho, USA. The airline is certificated by the FAA to conduct Domestic, Flag and Supplemental operations with Boeing 737 aircraft.-History:...
. The airline kept this aircraft until April 23, 2007, when the 737–800 (in all economy class configuration) was returned to Xtra Airways for a smaller Boeing 737–400 aircraft (in a business/economy class configuration). SkyValue has optioned for a year-long lease on the 737-400 which expired in April 2008.
| Aircraft | Passengers (Business/Economy) |
Routes | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boeing 737–400 | 150 (12/138) | All | wet leased from Xtra Airways Xtra Airways Xtra Airways is a charter airline based in Boise, Idaho, USA. The airline is certificated by the FAA to conduct Domestic, Flag and Supplemental operations with Boeing 737 aircraft.-History:... Returned in May 2007 |
| Boeing 737–800 | 174 (0/174) | All | wet leased from Xtra Airways Xtra Airways Xtra Airways is a charter airline based in Boise, Idaho, USA. The airline is certificated by the FAA to conduct Domestic, Flag and Supplemental operations with Boeing 737 aircraft.-History:... Returned in April 2007 |