Jet servicing to stay
City may get those jobs, not new Midwest Express flights
By AVRUM D. LANK
of the Journal Sentinel staff
Last Updated: April 11, 2001
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Midwest Express and Skyway Airlines will maintain their new jet aircraft in Milwaukee, but they may use the planes to start or expand service elsewhere, airline spokeswoman Lisa Bailey said Wednesday.
What routes the planes fly is tied to the fate of a property tax exemption for state-based airplanes that is pending in the Wisconsin Legislature, Bailey said.
On Tuesday, Midwest Express announced plans to buy 20 Boeing 717s, with options for 30 more. Skyway, its commuter partner, will purchase 20 Embraer regional jets, with options for another 20. Both carriers are owned by Midwest Express Holdings Inc., Oak Creek.
Altogether, the planes will require the addition of about 1,000 people to Midwest Express Holdings' staff of 3,354, Bailey said.
Maintenance workers will be added in Milwaukee, she said. Crews will be based in Milwaukee and Omaha, Neb., where Midwest Express has hubs. The airline is also building a hub in Kansas City, Mo., but Bailey said the company has no plans to base crews there "in the foreseeable future."
However, additional customer service agents, baggage handlers and other staff needed to deal with planes when they are on the ground will be added in proportion to where the new service is provided, she said.
The 717s are to start joining the Midwest fleet in March 2003, with the Embraers coming to Skyway a year earlier. The planes will be used to expand service on existing routes and start service to new cities.
It's vague(sp?), but you get the picture.
FD