More than 500 workers were put on notice by Air Wisconsin, and they could be out of a job as early as March 31.
This comes as the company’s affiliation with American Airlines wasn’t renewed.
Over the weekend, an incident at Chicago O’Hare is also causing concern involving a collision with an Air Wisconsin flight.
Nearly 300 of those job losses are tied to the company’s headquarters at Appleton International Airport and the rest will be in Milwaukee.
On Monday night, Air Wisconsin officials seem to be preparing for a big transition.
At the Appleton International Airport, the future of Air Wisconsin is now somewhat uncertain amid major changes, and a separation from its partnership, providing regional service for American Airlines.
“Air Wisconsin is our oldest tenant. In fact, they go back to the founding of the airport in 1965,” Tom Nelson, Outagamie Co. Executive said.
Nelson says when Air Wisconsin’s contract expires on April 3, he doesn’t expect any changes involving passenger routes.
“Nothing is going to change with the routes we are offering. In fact, we continue to add more routes. We just had an announcement, as of last fall we became the third largest airport in the state,” Nelson said.
In its letter to the state’s Department of Workforce Development, the company cited 513 positions being cut:
“At this time, the reductions are expected to be temporary for our unionized employees and permanent for management/salaried employees. The duration of the reduction is unknown and will be dependent on alternative flying opportunities.”
“These jobs are very good paying jobs. They’re family-supporting jobs,” Nelson said.
All of this after an incident Saturday at Chicago O’Hare, involving an Air Wisconsin flight that hit a United Airlines tug, while trying to cross a taxiway, upon landing.
The driver of the tug, a 64-year-old man, is now in the hospital with serious injuries.
No one on the flight was hurt.
We did reach out to Air Wisconsin and have yet to receive a response.
The company has indicated that it’s likely to focus on growing its charter business moving forward.
