Air Wisconsin Ending AA Relationship

[Murdoughnut]

Not sure if there are any ZW folks out there, but this was big news in my part of the aviation world, as they've been pitching route solicitations with subsidies from many of my client airports. Effectively it means they'll no longer be doing business as AA, and will essentially become a Contour like carrier, with interline and likely no AA logo on the airplane, focused on EAS markets. The EAS markets are limited, so will be interesting to see how that pans out.

Air Wisconsin Announces Strategic Shift Toward Essential Air Service and Charter Operations

/PRNewswire/ -- Air Wisconsin Airlines LLC ("Air Wisconsin"), a regional air carrier and an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Harbor Diversified, Inc....

www.prnewswire.com

 

[Skåning]

Soooo they're done basically?

 

[woodreau]

Omg. We couldn’t make EAS work with 18 BE-1900s. Paying captains $32 /hr and FOs $18/hr.

But somehow 60 CRJ-200s with the current pay will work? Did EAS subsidies get boosted somehow?

 

[Kingairer]

Sounds like some of these routes will still be flown, just at risk and other the AW banner?

 

[thepotato232]

Oof. As a former EAS regional guy myself, I would be VERY concerned about that being the bread and butter for an operation like ZW. My only advice for now would be to start exploring options on potential next stops on your careers. My own shop (K4) has a well-known soft spot for pilots whose "Plan A" just got skunked, and I know ALPA has been instrumental in setting up pipelines in past times of need. I'll keep an eye on DMs if anyone has any questions. Good luck.

 

[Minuteman]

It looks like "AWAC Aviation, Inc." is the operational business that leases stuff from "Lotus Aviation Leasing, LLC" and "Air Wisconsin Funding LLC". All are owned by the same holding company, "Harbor Diversified Inc."

The current fleet is 62 CRJ-200s (24 of those parked).

 

[SFCC/UND]

Oof. As a former EAS regional guy myself, I would be VERY concerned about that being the bread and butter for an operation like ZW. My only advice for now would be to start exploring options on potential next stops on your careers. My own shop (K4) has a well-known soft spot for pilots whose "Plan A" just got skunked, and I know ALPA has been instrumental in setting up pipelines in past times of need. I'll keep an eye on DMs if anyone has any questions. Good luck.

Ah yes, started with the ASA guys. Loved flying with the ASA lifers that kept saying how the K4 schedules were bad. Well, they were right when covid hit.

 

[ERfly]

Ah yes, started with the ASA guys. Loved flying with the ASA lifers that kept saying how the K4 schedules were bad. Well, they were right when covid hit.

Did you guys end up with JoeMerchant?