Western Australian carrier Skywest Airlines is hoping it can list on the Australian stock exchange (ASX) early next month.

Skywest is already listed on the London stock exchange's AIM market but it wants to list again on the ASX because it would be convenient for Skywest's many Australian shareholders, says Skywest chairman Jeff Chatfield.

Chatfield's Singapore company CaptiveVision Capital gained control of Skywest in late 2004 following a hostile take-over. It then had Skywest delisted from the ASX.

Chatfield says the application for a new ASX listing is in and they are now waiting on the ASX's approval.

Being on the ASX would give the airline another avenue for rasing capital, concedes Chatfield.

But he says the carrier has no plans to sell shares.

Skywest is based in Perth and operates scheduled and charter passenger services using Fokker 50s and Fokker 100s.

It is looking to get two Airbus A320s for delivery next year and is open to buying or leasing the aircraft, says Chatfield, who is spear-heading this initiative.

He says at this stage he has no engine preference but wants the A320s to be 5-15 years old.

Source: Air Transport Intelligence news