Air Wisconsin plans hundreds of layoffs as agreement with American winds down

US regional carrier Air Wisconsin plans to lay off hundreds of workers as it pivots from operating on behalf of American Airlines to charter and essential air service (EAS) flying. With Appleton-based Air Wisconsin’s capacity purchase agreement with American set to expire on 3 April, the company is planning to lay off 219 managers and salaried employees at its office in Milwaukee and 294 union-represented pilots, flight attendants, dispatchers, machinists and others in Appleton. ”At this time, the reductions are expected to be temporary for our unionised employees and permanent for management/salaried employees,” Air Wisconsin says in a 30 January filing with the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development. The layoffs may begin as soon as 31 March and continue for two weeks after. Air Wisconson’s pilots are represented by the Air Line Pilots Association, International. Its flight attendants are members of the Association of Flights Attendants, while its clerical, office, fleet and passenger-service employees are represented by the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace workers. Meanwhile, the company is pursuing “alternative flying opportunities”, which it expects to disclose in coming weeks. Air Wisconsin has been operating its fleet of 60 MHIRJ CRJ200 regional jets under the American Eagle brand since entering an agreement with American in March 2023. But the regional airline disclosed last month it was winding down its agreement with American and instead transitioning to a codeshare and interline relationship with the major US carrier. <br/>