Pilots, FAs, Mechanics Fall Victim To Outsourcing

You can blame it on outsourcing. Midwest Airlines announced Wednesday it will cut some 380 jobs from its regional subsidiary, Skyway Airlines, as part of its campaign to enlist other airlines on those runs.

The Associated Press reports SkyWest Airlines will take over all Midwest Connect regional operations in March and April. Positions to be eliminated at Skyway include pilots, flight attendants, mechanics and dispatchers.

The carrier's reason for doing so is similar to why American Airlines and Delta are looking to sell off their own regional operations: because often, contracted carriers can fly those same routes, much less expensively.

It's worth noting, however, that no one could accuse Skyway of being a financial drag on Midwest's ledger sheets. In fact, the regional carrier was the fastest-growing among Midwest's holdings in terms of passengers and revenue. The airline also posted a significant bump in earnings last year.

Initially, existing Midwest Connect customers may not notice the change, but for a bump-up in equipment. Currently, Skyway operates a mix of Beechcraft 1900D turboprops, and 32-passenger Dornier 328JET aircraft -- neither of which is in production today. SkyWest will operate 50-seat CRJs on its Midwest runs.

Midwest Airlines spokesman Mike Brophy told the AP it remains unclear how many flights will retain the Midwest Connect name, and how many will sold as SkyWest flights.

Based in St. George, UT, SkyWest began operating 15 flights as Midwest Connect last April. This year, the airline will take over remaining Midwest Connect flights to cities like Green Bay, WI and Cleveland, OH.

Skyway will continue to provide limited services for Midwest Airlines and Midwest Connect, including ramp operations and dining services. The operation hopes, in turn, to contract those services to other airlines down the road... meaning, one day Skyway may be the benefactor, not the victim, of outsourcing practices.

What a twisted web we weave...

FMI: www.midwestairlines.com, www.skywest.com