SkyWest Airlines began serving Elko in 1982 as an independent commuter carrier to fill the void left by the departure of United Airlines. The carrier flew Swearingen Metros to Reno, Salt Lake City and Ely. In 1986 SkyWest began operating as Western Express for Western Airlines via code sharing agreement with flights to Reno and Salt Lake City using Metroliners. Following the merger of Western into Delta Air Lines in 1987, SkyWest became a Delta Connection carrier and in 1988 began flying Embraer EMB-120 Brasilias on its flights to Reno and Salt Lake City. The flights to Reno ended in 2005. In 2015 SkyWest upgraded from the Brasilia aircraft to 50-seat Bombardier CRJ100/200 regional jets however the frequency of flights was reduced to two per day. SkyWest continues to serve the airport as a Delta Connection carrier and is the only airline at Elko.