The company said these potential job reductions would affect its business at the Dayton airport as soon as March 31, or during the 14-day period thereafter.
The company in a notice of workforce reduction letter said the layoffs are expected to be temporary for unionized employees and permanent for managers and salaried employees.
“The duration of the reduction is unknown and will be dependent on alternative flying opportunities,” the company’s letter states.
Air Wisconsin announced the potential layoffs after terminating a “capacity purchase agreement” with American Airlines.
Dozens of flight captains, first officers, flight attendants and mechanics could be laid off.
The company said it expects to share more information about “alternative flying opportunities” in coming weeks.
Since March 2023, Air Wisconsin has operated flights for American Airlines under a capacity purchase agreement, which was entered into in August 2022, per documents from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
Under the agreement, Air Wisconsin agreed to provide up to 60 CRJ-200 regional jet aircraft for regional airline services for American.
American became Air Wisconsin’s sole airline partner when all Air Wisconsin’s aircraft were removed from United’s flying operations in early June 2023, the SEC documents state.
Air Wisconsin has a crew base and leases a maintenance hangar at the Dayton airport. Air Wisconsin was the 10th largest regional airline in the United States in 2022.
Air Wisconsin in a press release in January said that its capacity purchase agreement with American Airlines will conclude in April 2025. The WARN notice lists April 3 as the date.
The news comes just one week after PSA Airlines announced it was moving its corporate headquarters from Dayton to Charlotte, N.C. That news was a blow to Dayton, which for years could claim to be home to the only airline based in Ohio.
Air Wisconsin said its fleet of 60 CRJ-200 aircrafts (with 50 seats each) is well-suited to serve “Essential Air Service” program markets where smaller and efficient aircraft are in high demand. The carrier said it is now also focusing on serving the charter market, like the air travel needs of NCAA collegiate sports teams.
“This strategic shift underscores our adaptability and commitment to delivering reliable, customized air travel solutions where they are most needed,” Robert Binns, president and CEO of Air Wisconsin, said in a prepared statement last month. “As we diversify into EAS and grow our charter operations, we remain committed to delivering safe, efficient, and quality service to every community and customer we serve.”
Air Wisconsin Airlines says it has provided regional aviation services since 1965. The company also filed a layoff notice with the state of Wisconsin on Thursday, saying it would affect 513 employees in that state.
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