Direct flights between Milwaukee - Grand Rapids to begin by year end
Grand Rapids, Mich. Oct. 3, 2019 — Midwest Express today revealed the Elite Airways aircraft, complete with exterior Midwest Express branding, that will service initial flight destinations to Cincinnati, OH (CVG), Omaha, NE (OMA), and Grand Rapids, MI (GRR). The plane arrived at the Gerald R. Ford International Airport this afternoon where travelers were treated to the legendary Midwest Express chocolate chip cookie that will be baked onboard all Midwest Express-marketed flights.
“Today is a monumental day in our efforts to return Midwest Express to the air, and we are excited to serve the Milwaukee-Grand Rapids route which has been in demand for some time,” said Greg Aretakis, president of Midwest Express. “We received input from many local businesses regarding their travel needs and this feedback factored into our choice of initial destinations.”
According to Aretakis, Midwest Express is in the process of establishing its flight booking system, and will be hiring key staff positions. Through the partnership with Elite Airways, flight operations will be provided by Elite. In addition, Elite Airways will support Midwest’s efforts to pursue regulatory and operational requirements necessary for Midwest to obtain its own airline operating certificate and aircraft.
The Midwest Express-branded aircraft displayed at the event was a 50-seat Bombardier CRJ 200 jet, one of a number of jet aircraft models flown by Elite Airways.
“The drive from West Michigan to Milwaukee is not an easy one around the lake, and what could take up to six hours in a car, will now be a convenient 40-minute flight, thanks to the relaunch of Midwest Express, and the service they will offer between Grand Rapids and Milwaukee,” said Brian Picardat, Interim President & CEO at the Gerald R. Ford International Airport. “We’re excited about this opportunity to connect our thriving West Michigan business community with our friends across the lake.”
“Bringing back Midwest Express and its special brand of customer service has been something we keep hearing from the business community, and today, that reality has never been closer. In the coming weeks, we will complete our final steps to begin marketing flights before the end of this year,” added Aretakis.
About GFIA
The Gerald R. Ford International Airport is the second busiest airport in Michigan. The Airport served over 3.26 million passengers in 2018 and more than 9,000 travelers pass through GFIA each day. The Gerald R. Ford International Airport offers nonstop service to 31 major market destinations with more than 140 daily nonstop flights. The Gerald R. Ford International Airport is managed and operated by the Gerald R. Ford International Airport Authority. GFIA generates over $3.1 billion in annual economic output throughout West Michigan and employs more than 2,000 people. For more information on GFIA, visit www.grr.org or follow the airport on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @FlyGRFord.
About Midwest Express Airlines
Midwest Express Airlines, located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, is led by Greg Aretakis who serves as President. He is a veteran airline leader who most recently served in senior positions at Midwest Airlines and Frontier Airlines. In May 2018, a private offering was filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, allowing the organization to secure investors and begin implementing its plans to bring the airline back to Milwaukee, Wisconsin. In April of 2019, Midwest Express Airlines signed a lease for its corporate headquarters near Mitchell International Airport. In August of 2019, 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. For more information about Midwest Express, visit www.flymidwestexpress.com.
