Skyway Airlines

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Skyway Airlines

IATA AL	ICAO SYX	Callsign SKYWAY-EX
Founded		1994
Hubs		General Mitchell International Airport
Frequent flyer program		Midwest Miles
Member lounge		Best Care Club
Fleet size		19
Destinations		26
Parent company		Midwest Air Group
Headquarters		Oak Creek, Wisconsin
Key people		David C. Reeve - President & CEO
Website: http://www.midwestairlines.com

Skyway Airlines is an American commuter airline based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The airline operates as Midwest Connect for Midwest Airlines, feeding Midwest's hubs at General Mitchell International Airport with 12 32-seat aircraft.

[edit] History

Skyway Airlines, The Midwest Express Connection, began flight operations as Midwest Express' commuter airline division on April 17, 1989 in Milwaukee. All flights were originally operated by the Mesa Air Group. In 1994, a new airline called Astral Aviation, operating as Skyway Airlines, was formed as a subsidiary of Midwest Express Airlines to operate commuter flights, replacing Mesa. Skyway's (operated by Astral Aviation) first flight was from Milwaukee to Flint, Michigan on 15 February 1994. The original fleet were Beech 1900C airliners which were replaced by the roomier Beech 1900Ds. These aircraft and were used to connect Milwaukee with small communities in Wisconsin and the surrounding region. In 1999, the airline acquired five Dornier 328JET aircraft to expand their operations. An additional five aircraft were added to the fleet in following years. Two more 328 Jets were added in the fall of 2006. Skyway has recently reduced its Beechcraft 1900 fleet by several aircraft.^{[citation needed]}

The airline changed its name from Astral Aviation, Inc., d/b/a Skyway Airlines, the Midwest Express Connection to Skyway Airlines, Inc. d/b/a Midwest Connect in March 2003, at the same time Midwest Express Airlines changed its name to Midwest Airlines. Both Midwest Airlines and Skyway Airlines are wholly owned divisions of Midwest Air Group. Skyway Airlines employs over 900 people.^{[citation needed]}

[edit] Destinations

Main article: Skyway Airlines destinations

Skyway Airlines currently flies to 27 destinations throughout Canada and the United States. On June 1, Midwest's newest commuter carrier, SkyWest, will take over Skyway's route to Baltimore, Maryland, decreasing Skyway's destination count to 26.