Midwest Express Airlines has leased 1,500 square feet in the MKE Regional Business Park near Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport for its corporate headquarters as the company seeks to relaunch the iconic Milwaukee brand.
“Establishing our office is a significant step toward fulfilling our commitment to returning Midwest Express Airlines to the sky,” said Greg Aretakis, president of Midwest Express Airlines. “We are looking forward to establishing formal office operations in the coming weeks and continuing on our path toward takeoff.”
The lease for the entire building at 6083 S. Jasper Ave. is effective today and the company plans to begin occupying the space with furnishings and equipment in the coming weeks. The location is part of the former 440th Airlift Wing facility, located at the southern end of Mitchell International Airport’s main north-south runway. The 440th, part of the U.S. Air Force, was deactivated in 2016.
Originally known as Midwest Express, Midwest Airlines was previously based in Oak Creek and had its main hub at Mitchell International. Midwest Airlines was acquired by Indianapolis-based Republic Airways Holdings in 2009, it was merged into Denver-based Frontier Airlines and in 2011 the Midwest Airlines brand was eliminated.
In 2017, a group of business and airline professionals announced plans to relaunch the airline. In May 2018, the group completed a $750,000 fund raise and said it would seek to raise another $6 million to $8 million in the next 12 months.
“We are thankful for the initial investors who saw the promise, seized the opportunity and believed in the strong business case to return Midwest Express to operation,” Aretakis said in a press release on Thursday. “We have several steps to take before more details can be shared, but our path is clear, so stay tuned for more updates.”
A company representative declined to provide additional details on the company’s fundraising, acquisition of airline certificate or potential routes.
Last year, company officials said they were reviewing Department of Transportation statistics and working with airport officials to identify the greatest routes of need.
Thursday’s release said the company has received “an outpouring of support for re-establishing Midwest Express Airlines from around the country, including outreach from former employees, business partners and frequent flyers.”
Midwest Express Airlines has made commemorative merchandise including apparel, travel gear and glassware, available in response to the support it has received.
