TechnologySkyWest announces investment and partnership with Maeve Aerospace
SkyWest, one of Embraer’s largest customers with a fleet of 265 E175 jets, has announced a strategic investment agreement with Maeve Aerospace. The move underscores the US regional carrier’s interest in next-generation, fuel-efficient aircraft at a time when Embraer—its long-standing partner—has yet to commit to a new highly efficient regional jet program.
The agreement grants SkyWest exclusive launch customer rights for the MAEVE Jet, a new family of regional aircraft under development by the Dutch-German startup.
As part of the partnership, SkyWest will contribute operational and technical expertise to the program, providing input on aircraft operations, performance, and design. This aligns with its long-term fleet renewal strategy, which is increasingly focused on efficiency and sustainability.
The MAEVE Jet is being designed to serve the regional market with seating for 50 to 100 passengers and, according to Maeve Aerospace, will be the first all-new regional jet introduced in more than two decades. The manufacturer highlights sustainability as a core design principle, with the goal of connecting communities while significantly reducing emissions.
By contrast, Embraer’s current research under the “Energia” family targets hybrid-electric concepts with up to 50 seats—well below the 76-seat E175s that form the backbone of SkyWest’s operations. While Embraer studies potential future technologies, it has not yet launched a program that directly addresses the efficiency and environmental performance SkyWest is signaling interest in with Maeve.
Support for Maeve’s development effort also comes from MHI RJ Aviation Group (MHIRJ), which provides engineering and operational solutions and operates service centers and support facilities in North America and Germany.
SkyWest today flies to more than 265 destinations across North America and expects to carry about 42 million passengers in 2024, serving as a regional partner for major US airlines. Maeve Aerospace, founded in 2021, maintains offices in Germany and the Netherlands.
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