Midwest Express Airlines (2019)

Midwest Express Airlines is a U.S.-based airline operating from Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport led by Greg Aretakis, aviation industry veteran and former VP at Midwest Airlines. On August 28, 2019, the company announced its initial plan of operations by announcing their initial set of routes.[1] The airline had announced earlier in August 2019 an agreement with Elite Airways to provide the services under the branding, livery, customer service and reservations system provided by the Midwest Express operating company.[2] It is intended as a successor to the Midwest Airlines that operated from 1984 to 2010, also headquartered in Milwaukee.

For the original airline that operated between 1984 and 2010, see Midwest Airlines.
Midwest Express
IATA ICAO Callsign
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FoundedDecember 27, 2018
Commenced operations2020 (launch to be announced)
HubsMilwaukee Mitchell International Airport
Fleet size0
Destinations4 (proposed)
HeadquartersMilwaukee, Wisconsin
Key peopleGreg Aretakis (President)
Websiteflymidwestexpress.com

History

The original incarnation of Midwest Airlines had operated from 1984 to 2010 from its base in Milwaukee, serving key business (and later, leisure) markets that had been abandoned by other carriers following the enactment of the Airline Deregulation Act in 1978. The airline earned a reputation for quality among its customer base, offering business class amenities (including low-density seating and complimentary high-quality catering, most notably warm chocolate chip cookies) on all of its aircraft at fares comparable to those of larger airlines. Although some of these services were reduced in order to remain competitive following the September 11 attacks and rising oil prices, it nonetheless remained well-regarded. It was acquired by Republic Airways Holdings in 2009 in the midst of financial difficulty, and merged with Frontier Airlines (which had also been acquired by Republic) in 2010, marking an end to its operations.

In 2017, former executive Greg Aretakis announced the beginnings of a revival of the brand, with the intention of offering similar amenities in some of Midwest's old markets.[3] Throughout 2018, investors were brought on board,[4] and on August 6, 2019, the company announced that Elite Airways, a provider of charter and limited scheduled passenger service, would provide initial flight operations.[5] Several weeks later, at a press event in Milwaukee, it was revealed that the airline's initial destinations would include Cincinnati, Grand Rapids, and Omaha, all routes previously served by Midwest at the height of its operations.[6] Omaha had also briefly been served with regional service branded under the now-defunct AirTran Airways and OneJet.

On March 10, 2020, the airline announced it was cutting ties with Elite, citing a breach of contract. Midwest Express also filed a lawsuit against Elite, seeking a return of its financial deposit.[7]

Destinations

As of August 28, 2019, the airline proposes to serve the following destinations:[8]

Fleet

Flights were initially to be operated by Elite Airways Bombardier CRJ-200s.

See also
  • Cal Jet, a similar airline with flights operated by Elite Airways

References
  1. "Midwest Express Announces Airline Relaunch". Wisconsin Public Radio, August 28, 2019
  2. "Midwest Express ready to announce initial flight destinations on Wednesday, Aug. 28". FOX6 News (TV), August 28,2019
  3. Joe Taschler (9 August 2019). "A comeback for Midwest Express? Effort is underway". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. USA Today. Retrieved 3 September 2019.
  4. Ben Mutzabaugh (1 June 2019). "Midwest Express comeback bid moves forward". USA TODAY. Retrieved 3 September 2019.
  5. Robert Silk (7 August 2019). "When Midwest Express returns, Elite Airways will fly the planes". Travel Weekly. Retrieved 3 September 2019.
  6. "Midwest Express returns with new look and focus, but some things stay the same: Slideshow". Milwaukee Business Journal. Retrieved 3 September 2019.
  7. "Midwest Express return suffers setback: Company cuts ties, sues carrier that would operate planes". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, March 10, 2020
  8. "Midwest Express announces first destinations when airline relaunches". Retrieved 10 September 2019.
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