Midwest Express Comeback Bid Hits Snag; Lawsuit Filed

MILWAUKEE, WI — Three months after Midwest Express officials said plans to revive the once-popular airline experienced a bit of a flight delay comes news that the airline's comeback bid has hit a more significant snag.

According to a Milwaukee Business Journal report, on Monday, March 9, Midwest Express officials said they've ended their partnership with Elite Airways, and has filed a lawsuit, claiming their one-time partner has breached their contract agreement.

"We are in substantial discussions with other airline operators to bring back non-stop service to Milwaukee," Midwest Express President Greg Aretakis said in a comment published on FOX 6.

In April 2019, Midwest Express signed a lease for its corporate headquarters near Mitchell International Airport. In August, Midwest Express announced its partnership with Elite Airways to provide initial flight operations and assist with the regulatory and operational requirements necessary for Midwest to obtain its own airline operating certificate and aircraft.

In December, Aretakis said those plans have encountered a bit of a flight delay - one that could last at least a month, maybe more.

"We planned to have our commercial infrastructure completed by year-end, but due to the upcoming holidays and advanced planning needs of our customers, we expect to announce schedules, pricing and initial flights near the end of first quarter of 2020. We thank the community for its continued interest and support, and we look forward to serving our customers in the new year."

"Providing non-stop flights to key business destinations fills an important niche, and we couldn't be happier to welcome Midwest Express back home," said Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele. "We are all excited that travelers can now access these important midwestern markets nonstop from our hometown airport of MKE."

When they do get up-and-running, Midwest Express will deploy the 50-seat Bombardier CRJ 200 jet, one of a number of jet aircraft models flown by Elite Airways. The comeback airline said it will service initial flight destinations to Cincinnati, OH (CVG), Omaha, NE (OMA), and Grand Rapids, MI (GRR).