ExpressJet Holdings Inc. (NYSE: XJT) today announced that it unanimously rejected an all-cash offer by SkyWest Inc. (NASDAQ: SKYW) to acquire the company for $3.50 per share.

ExpressJet said it believes SkyWest's $3.50 per share offer substantially undervalues the company's true value and outlook. "The initial SkyWest offer is inadequate and represents an opportunistic attempt by SkyWest to acquire the company at a price well below the true value that ExpressJet would bring to a combination," ExpressJet said in a statement.

With the difficulty across airline companies reflected in their current trading price - Skywest is trading near its 52 week low and ExpressJet was hovering around its 52 week low prior to this announcement - consolidation has become an attractive option based not only on valuations but long-term survival.

SkyWest's offer represents almost a 70% percent premium over ExpressJet's Thursday closing price of $2.09 per share and values the company at nearly $182 million. SkyWest CEO Jerry C. Atkin said in a letter to ExpressJet that the offer represented a "full and fair price" for the company.

Atkin wrote, "We believe that our proposal would be in the best interests of ExpressJet and its stockholders, particularly given the uncertainty in the airline sector, the high price of oil and, as outlined in your public filings, the risks of your business related to your relationship with Continental."

The risks of ExpressJet's relationship with Continental Airlines (NYSE: CAL) stem from ExpressJet mainly operating regional flights as a contractor for the company rather than having its own routes and name recognition. In other words, the company is largely at Continental's mercy right now.

ExpressJet is going to start a review of its options, but in this climate the reality is SkyWest's offer may be as good as it gets for a small, regional carrier like ExpressJet.

Related Companies
Delta Air Lines, Inc. (DAL)
Pinnacle Airlines Corp. (PNCL)
Republic Airways Holdings Inc. (RJET)