Virgin Blue and Skywest sign strategic alliance; Kingfisher drops

Virgin Blue and Skywest have signed a 10-year strategic alliance to service regional Australia, continuing the flow of deal-making for Australia's number two carrier under CEO, John Borghetti. Skywest will operate up to 18 new Virgin Blue-branded turboprop aircraft to a number of existing and new destinations around Australia. The new aircraft fleet will be leased from Avation PLC, with an initial term of 10 years.