AWAC takes SkyWay's CEO

[DASHDRIVER]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 10, 2006

Air Wisconsin Airlines Corporation Names New CEO

APPLETON, WI, -- July 10, 2006 - Air Wisconsin Airlines Corporation (AWAC) today announced that it has hired James P. Rankin as President and CEO. Rankin is currently President and CEO of Skyway Airlines, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Midwest Air Group, Inc.

“We are extremely pleased to have someone of Jim’s caliber joining Air Wisconsin,” said Patrick J. Thompson, the company’s current CEO. “Jim is a strong leader with great operational and business acumen. When we join Jim with our CFO, Christine Deister, and the other officers of Air Wisconsin, we believe we have a leadership team that can take Air Wisconsin to new heights.”

Rankin has been with Midwest Air Group since first joining Skyway as a pilot in 1990. Within a few years, he moved through the positions of Chief Pilot and Director of Operations at Skyway before moving to Midwest Express Airlines in 1995. In addition to his current position as President and CEO of Skyway, Rankin also holds the position of Senior Vice President and General Manager of Midwest Airlines Saver Service, Midwest’s lower fare leisure product.

Rankin said, “I am very excited about joining Air Wisconsin Airlines, a company with a rich and distinguished heritage, and I look forward to working with AWAC’s 2,300 plus employees to further position the company for growth in the highly-competitive airline industry.”

Rankin holds a bachelor’s degree from Carroll College as well as an M.B.A. from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management. He will assume his new position August 1.

Rankin will succeed Thompson, who took over as interim CEO in April after AWAC’s long-time CEO, Geoffrey Crowley, left the position to head up an investment company owned by AWAC’s shareholders. Thompson will rejoin William Jordan as the company’s Vice Chairmen.

AWAC operates as US Airways Express scheduling nearly 500 departures per day to 70 cities in 27 states and two Canadian provinces. It has a fleet of 70 Canadair Regional Jets and is the largest privately held regional airline in the United States. Additional information about AWAC can be found at www.airwis.com.

 

[Cardinal]

Hehe, ya think someone is gunning for the 50-seat MidEx flying? I bet Wisconsin would love to get a sizable contract a bit closer to Appleton.

 

[crzepilot]

Why doesn't Skyway acquire 50 seat planes instead of contracting 50 seaters out?

 

[Wacko]

Why doesn't Skyway acquire 50 seat planes instead of contracting 50 seaters out?

That would mean that Medex would have to finance them since skyway is owned by Midwest holdings. MidWest is looking to acquire another fleet type since the 17's aren't being produced anymore.

Not only that it is cheaper for another companey to just add additional rj's than skyway to acquire another fllet type.

 

[mckpickle]

Congrats Air Wiskey....nicely played!

 

[EX_CV580FR8Dawg]

hey dash, i heard that the converstaion with our MEC was a lil different than what you posted

 

[wheelsup]

hey dash, i heard that the converstaion with our MEC was a lil different than what you posted

feel free to elaborate...

 

[EX_CV580FR8Dawg]

ill leave that up to dash and the way he acted towards our MEC.

 

[wheelsup]

ill leave that up to dash and the way he acted towards our MEC.

i must've missed something, do you two know each other? or are you just commenting on the press release?

 

[DASHDRIVER]

You know its funny My take on the conversation was very uneventfull. He however was very hostle toward me. I did get a report from a friend that he said I was out of line. I may have answered his attitude with a bit of my own, it was however not intended at all. Besides what does my opinion matter, its not like anyone on the line has one bit of say as to who this flying goes to. I understand the feelings of the Skyway pilots. However, if he was looking for sympathy from a guy who has taken 3 paycut, 4 displacements and two airlines in 5 years mostly due to MESA's and other bottom rung airlines continuing undercutting he was mistaken. I will not be unhappy if we get a midwest base again. I will not take a pay cut to do it. I will not accept a B scale at this company to do it. I will not work around another carriers contract or scope to do the work. However if new flying presents it's self and our company fairly bids on it, and wins it, I will not apologize. This is growth for Midwest airlines, not replacement flying.
With all my heart I hope that Midwest can find a way to keep this flying inhouse. In addition I wish the best for all the Skyway pilots.

Regards DD