Davin returns to Skywest to drive resources push

Hugh Davin has returned to Skywest Airlines to head its aggressive push into the resource contract market, after being lured from his position as head of business development at National Jet Systems in Western Australia.
The move is the most significant personnel change in Western Australian aviation in a decade, given Mr Davin's reputation and experience.
The 37-year-industry veteran is credited with building up NJS and QantasLink in Western Australia from a fledgling start into an 18 jet operation that dominates fly-in fly-out resource operations along with the majority of jet RPT work.
Mr Davin also secured the Coastwatch contract for NJS in 1995, which it recently renewed with the government for another 12 years. Prior to joining NJS Davin had been general manager of Skywest but left in 1993 because he recognized a fresh approach was needed to tap the growing resource sector.
Skywest's chairman Jeff Chatfield told WA Business News that Mr Davin is one of Western Australia's most respected aviation and experienced aviation professionals.
"Resource charter is a key component of our business strategy at the moment. Skywest has already secured agreements with several resource companies, Newmont, Argyle Diamonds and McMahons and was aggressively pursuing further opportunities to expand its charter operations," Mr Chatfield said.
Skywest will shortly take delivery of the first of four 180-seat Airbus A320 aircraft for use in WA and has just taken delivery of its seventh 46-seat Fokker 50.
Mr Davin declined to discus the reasons for his move as he is bound by confidentiality agreements with both NJS and Skywest, however insiders at NJS told WA Business News that Mr Davin was impressed by the developments at Skywest since the corporate turbulence surrounding its ownership had been resolved.