Greenville-based Air Wisconsin leaves United Airlines for new agreement with American Airlines
GREENVILLE - Air Wisconsin Airlines, based at the Appleton International Airport, has announced its departure from United Airlines for American Airlines starting in 2023.
"We look forward to exploring opportunities with American as we transition our fleet and help them continue strengthening their regional network and providing safe, reliable service," Air Wisconsin said in a statement Tuesday.
The company said it's "working on our transition plans, and we will provide more information as it becomes available."
According to a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the five-year agreement will provide up to 60 Bombardier CRJ200 regional jet aircraft for American, with most of those flights focusing on connecting customers to American's Chicago O’Hare hub, with possible future expansion to other hubs.
Air Wisconsin's flights, currently operating as United Express with United Airlines, will operate as American Eagle with American Airlines.
Up to 40 of the 50-seat aircraft will become available between March and October 2023, with the option to add 20 more, subject to meeting certain thresholds.
"The parties may discuss the possibility of adding CRJ-700 regional jets to Air Wisconsin’s fleet for the purpose of providing regional airline services under the Agreement, but neither party is under any obligation with respect to these additional aircraft," the filing says.
Air Wisconsin exclusively began operating for United in March 2018. Before that, the regional airline operated as US Airways Express from 2005 to 2015. In 2015, US Airways and American Airlines operations were combined, resulting in Air Wisconsin operating as American Eagle from 2015 to 2018.
United and Air Wisconsin are partnered under the United Aviate Program, a pilot pathway program designed to make it easier for student pilots to train and earn jobs. Pilots for Air Wisconsin who complete the program will still be able to earn a job at United, even though the airline will no longer be flying for United.
Reach Jelissa Burns at 920-226-4241 or jburns1@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter at @burns_jelissa or on Instagram at burns_jelissa.
This article originally appeared on Appleton Post-Crescent: Air Wisconsin leaves United Airlines for American Airlines
