Midwest Connect Regional Operations to Be Transitioned From Skyway to SkyWest

Midwest Airlines has announced that it will transition the operation of all Midwest Connect flights from Skyway Airlines to SkyWest Airlines, as part of its agreement with SkyWest to operate 50-seat Canadair regional jets for Midwest Connect.

SkyWest will continue to serve regional markets now served by Skyway, using the 50-seat aircraft to fly routes currently served by 32-seat aircraft. As flight operations transition to SkyWest in March and April, Skyway Airlines will discontinue providing regional flight operations for Midwest Airlines, which will result in the elimination of the positions of approximately 380 Skyway employees, mostly pilots, flight attendants, mechanics and dispatchers.

Skyway Airlines will continue in an airport services role, providing ramp and dining services operations for Midwest Airlines and Midwest Connect, and customer service operations in Midwest Connect field stations.

David Reeve, chairman, president and CEO of Skyway, said: “This was an extremely difficult business decision in terms of its impact on Skyway employees. The change in strategy will redeploy our resources in a more strategic, cost-effective manner. The 50-seat aircraft will provide us additional seating capacity at about the same cost of operation as the 32-seat aircraft.”