Air Wisconsin Airlines has plans to lay off 361 employees located at airports in Milwaukee and Appleton, according to a (WARN) Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification filed with the state.
Air Wisconsin Airlines performs flying services for
United Airlines as
United Express, carrying its passengers in CRJ-299 jets throughout the Midwest and the East Coast. The regional airline has operated since 1965.
The airline says layoffs are expected to begin Oct. 1, 2020 and will include approximately 44 salaried employees and 317 union represented employees. Air Wisconsin attributed the layoffs to decreased flying operations with United Airlines, which is reflective of decreased travel demands in the industry due to COVID-19.
A total of 261 Air Wisconsin employees being laid off are located at General Mitchell International Airport in Milwaukee will the remainder located at Appleton International Airport in Appleton. The positions with the most layoffs include 120 first officers, 82 flight attendants and 48 mechanics.
At this point the layoffs are temporary and without a defined period, according to the WARN notice. Air Wisconsin says when workers will return depends on an increase in travel demands and United Airline’s need for Air Wisconsin’s flying services.