MILWAUKEE, March 15 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Midwest Airlines (AMEX:MEH) today announced the continued rollout of its 2007 strategic plan with the launch of nonstop Midwest Connect service between Milwaukee and Raleigh/Durham, N.C. beginning June 1. Midwest Connect will be the only airline offering nonstop service in the market.
Additionally, the airline announced that it will fly larger aircraft and add seasonal frequency in three Midwest Connect markets, also beginning June 1:
— Milwaukee-Baltimore/Washington — All service upgraded from 32-seat
regional jets to 50-seat regional jets.
— Milwaukee-Des Moines — All service upgraded to 32-seat regional jets.
The market is currently served by a combination of 19-seat turboprop
aircraft and 32-seat regional jets.
— Milwaukee-Marquette, Mich. — Addition of two daily nonstop roundtrips
on weekdays and one daily nonstop roundtrip on Saturday and Sunday
through September 8, 2007 to address increased passenger demand during
the summer months.
“Today’s service announcements are the next components in our carefully planned and timed 2007 comprehensive growth plan for Milwaukee,” said Scott R. Dickson, senior vice president and chief marketing officer. “As part of the plan, we have already announced service enhancements on 25 routes — including the launch of service to Duluth/Superior and Seattle/Tacoma.”
According to Dickson, the airline’s strategic plan includes the addition of six new destinations as well as the addition of as many as 12 new routes, leading to a 20% increase in capacity. The plan also features the launch of 50-seat regional jet service, operated by SkyWest Airlines, Inc.
The 50-seat jets, which will be painted in the Midwest Connect livery, will allow Midwest to add new destinations, increase frequency on existing routes and upgrade several regional routes to all-jet service. The jets also feature Midwest’s brown leather seats, buy-onboard Best Care Cuisine meals, and baked-onboard chocolate chip cookies.
Dickson noted that Raleigh/Durham is a frequently requested customer destination. “The state’s government, leading educational institutions and cutting-edge high-tech industries are based in Raleigh/Durham, making the region an important center for business travelers,” he said. “The new Raleigh/Durham route affords customers in the upper Midwest a quick and convenient way to reach North Carolina and the many attractions in the region.”
Raleigh/Durham fares start as low as $99 each way from Milwaukee. Members of the airline’s Midwest Miles program can earn 1,000 bonus miles each way on the new Raleigh/Durham flights, through November 30, 2007. Fares and complete terms and conditions for the new Raleigh/Durham service and the increased frequency to Marquette may be found at http://www.midwestairlines.com/ . Schedules, including a downloadable timetable, and fares are also available on the Web site.
Midwest Airlines features jet service throughout the United States, including Milwaukee’s most daily nonstop flights and best schedule to major destinations. Catering primarily to business travelers and discerning leisure travelers, the airline earned its reputation as “The best care in the air” by providing passengers with impeccable service and onboard amenities at competitive fares. Skyway Airlines, Inc. — Midwest’s wholly owned subsidiary — operates as Midwest Connect and offers connections to Midwest Airlines as well as point-to-point service between select markets on regional jet and turboprop aircraft. Together, the airlines offer service to 50 cities. More information is available at http://www.midwestairlines.com/ .
New Midwest Connect Raleigh/Durham Service
Beginning June 1, 2007
Milwaukee to Raleigh/Durham Raleigh/Durham to Milwaukee
Depart Arrive Frequency Depart Arrive Frequency
08:45 am 11:30 am Daily 07:00 am 07:55 am Except Sunday
01:35 pm 04:20 pm Daily 12:00 pm 12:55 pm Daily
07:30 pm 10:15 pm Except Saturday 04:50 pm 05:50 pm Daily
This document contains forward-looking statements about the results expected under the company’s strategic plan and that otherwise may state the company’s or management’s intentions, hopes, beliefs, expectations or predictions for the future. Words such as “projecting,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “goal,” “objective” or similar words are intended to identify forward-looking statements. It is important to note that the company’s actual results could differ materially from projected results due to the risk factors described in Item 1A. Risk Factors in the company’s “Annual Report on Form 10-K” for the year ended December 31, 2006.
