Midwest Express Airlines
Midwest Express Airlines was a proposed Milwaukee-based U.S. airline intended to revive the former Midwest Airlines brand and its service-oriented regional network.
Last updated August 24, 2026
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Overview
Midwest Express Airlines was a proposed American airline venture organized to revive the name, identity, and service proposition associated with the former Midwest Airlines. The new company was based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and was led by Greg Aretakis, an aviation-industry executive who had previously served as a vice president at Midwest Airlines. Its plan was to operate from Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport and reconnect the city with selected Midwestern business and leisure markets. The revival effort drew on the reputation of the original Midwest Airlines, which had operated from Milwaukee from 1984 until 2010. That earlier carrier built a distinctive position by serving routes that larger airlines had abandoned after U.S. airline deregulation and by offering a comparatively premium onboard experience at fares intended to remain competitive with larger network airlines. Its signature features included low-density seating, attentive service, and complimentary catering, especially its widely recognized warm chocolate-chip cookies. The original airline later reduced some of those benefits as it faced the financial effects of the September 11 attacks, higher fuel costs, and increasing competitive pressure. The original Midwest Airlines was acquired by Republic Airways Holdings in 2009 while under financial strain. Republic subsequently combined it with Frontier Airlines in 2010, ending Midwest's independent operations. The later revival initiative began publicly taking shape in 2017, when Aretakis announced plans to re-establish a carrier using elements of the former brand's customer-service model and network identity. During 2018, the venture reportedly attracted investors and developed an operating arrangement intended to avoid the cost and complexity of immediately establishing a fully independent airline operation. On August 6, 2019, Midwest Express announced that Elite Airways would provide its initial flight operations. Under the proposed arrangement, Elite would operate Bombardier CRJ-200 aircraft while Midwest Express supplied the branding, aircraft livery, customer-service concept, and reservations presentation. At an August 2019 Milwaukee press event, Midwest Express identified Cincinnati, Grand Rapids, and Omaha as its initial destinations, with Milwaukee serving as the proposed hub. These cities were selected in part because they had been served by the earlier Midwest Airlines at various points in its history. The proposed service does not appear to have developed into a sustained scheduled airline operation. On March 10, 2020, Midwest Express announced that it was ending its relationship with Elite Airways, alleging a breach of contract. Midwest Express also filed a lawsuit seeking the return of a financial deposit. The dispute disrupted the planned launch, and the available reference material does not establish that the proposed network began regular operations or that the brand subsequently became an active airline. Accordingly, the venture is best described as a proposed airline revival rather than a confirmed operating successor.
History
Midwest Express Airlines was created as a proposed successor to the Milwaukee-based Midwest Airlines, which had ended independent operations in 2010. The revival effort was led by Greg Aretakis, a former Midwest Airlines vice president and aviation-industry executive. Public plans began to emerge in 2017, with the stated objective of bringing back a version of Midwest's network and customer-service identity. The original Midwest Airlines had been established in 1984 and operated from Milwaukee. It developed a loyal following by concentrating on routes linking Milwaukee with important Midwestern markets, including destinations that other airlines had reduced or abandoned after the Airline Deregulation Act of 1978. The carrier was particularly associated with low-density seating, complimentary food service, and warm chocolate-chip cookies. These features helped it present itself as a higher-quality alternative while maintaining fares comparable to those charged by larger airlines. Financial and industry pressures eventually weakened the original carrier. Service benefits were scaled back after the September 11 attacks and during periods of rising fuel prices. Republic Airways Holdings acquired Midwest Airlines in 2009, and Republic later combined Midwest with Frontier Airlines in 2010. That transaction ended the original airline's independent identity and operations. The new Midwest Express venture spent 2018 bringing investors into the project and developing a structure based on outsourced flight operations. On August 6, 2019, it announced an agreement with Elite Airways, a carrier involved in charter and limited scheduled passenger operations. Elite was expected to fly Bombardier CRJ-200 aircraft, while the revived Midwest Express company would control the public-facing brand elements, including livery, customer service, and reservations. On August 28, 2019, Midwest Express announced its initial proposed destinations. Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport was to serve as the hub, with Cincinnati, Ohio; Grand Rapids, Michigan; and Omaha, Nebraska, among the first markets. The selection emphasized the connection between the revival and the former Midwest network. The venture's proposal was therefore not simply to operate a generic regional airline, but to restore a recognizable Milwaukee-centered brand with a service model associated with the earlier carrier. The launch plan was subsequently disrupted. On March 10, 2020, Midwest Express announced that it was cutting ties with Elite Airways, alleging that Elite had breached the parties' contract. Midwest Express also filed a lawsuit seeking repayment of a financial deposit. The available source material does not confirm that the airline began sustained scheduled operations after announcing its routes, and it does not document a later resumption. The 2019 entity is consequently best treated as a proposed airline and brand revival whose planned operating partnership failed before a durable network was established.
- 2020
Operating partnership with Elite Airways is terminated
[1]Midwest Express announced the end of its relationship with Elite Airways and initiated litigation concerning a financial deposit.
- 2019
Elite Airways operating agreement announced
[1]Midwest Express announced that Elite Airways would provide initial flight operations with Bombardier CRJ-200 aircraft.
- 2019
Initial proposed network is disclosed
[1]Milwaukee, Cincinnati, Grand Rapids, and Omaha were identified as the proposed initial network, with Milwaukee as the hub.
- 2018
Investors join the revival project
[1]The proposed company brought investors into the project while developing its operating and network plans.
- 2017
Brand revival plans emerge
[1]Greg Aretakis publicly announced the beginnings of an effort to revive the Midwest Express identity and selected elements of its former service model.
- 2010
Original Midwest Airlines is merged with Frontier Airlines
[1]Republic combined Midwest Airlines with Frontier Airlines, ending Midwest's independent operations.
- 2009
Republic Airways Holdings acquires Midwest Airlines
[1]Republic Airways Holdings acquired the original Midwest Airlines while the carrier was experiencing financial difficulty.
- 1984
Original Midwest Airlines begins Milwaukee operations
[1]The predecessor carrier began operating from Milwaukee and developed a reputation for premium-style service on Midwestern routes.
Products and positioning
A proposed premium-oriented regional airline revival emphasizing Midwestern connectivity, recognizable branding, and a more hospitable onboard experience than a bare-bones regional carrier.
Air transportation · 2019
Proposed scheduled passenger flights
The central proposed offering was scheduled regional passenger service from Milwaukee to selected Midwestern markets. The initial plan named Cincinnati, Grand Rapids, and Omaha as destinations. The flights were expected to be operated by Elite Airways rather than by a wholly independent Midwest Express operating certificate, using Bombardier CRJ-200 aircraft. The source material does not establish that this network entered sustained commercial operation.
Airline service brand · 2019
Midwest Express service experience
The revived brand was designed around the service reputation of the earlier Midwest Airlines. Its intended differentiation included recognizable Midwest Express branding and livery, a customer-service proposition, and a reservations experience modeled on the former carrier. The available material describes the concept but does not confirm the extent to which these features were delivered in regular service.
Brand decisions
2019
Outsource initial flight operations to Elite AirwaysStrategyBackground
The proposed airline needed an operating structure for its planned launch and announced an agreement with Elite Airways, a provider of charter and limited scheduled passenger service.
Action taken
Elite Airways was expected to operate Bombardier CRJ-200 aircraft, while Midwest Express supplied the brand, livery, customer-service concept, and reservations presentation.
Aftermath
The relationship was terminated in March 2020 after Midwest Express alleged a contract breach, and the company filed suit seeking return of a financial deposit.
2019
Announce initial Milwaukee-centered route networkProduct launchBackground
The revival project sought to reconnect Milwaukee with markets associated with the earlier Midwest Airlines network.
Action taken
The company proposed Milwaukee as its hub and Cincinnati, Grand Rapids, and Omaha as initial destinations.
Aftermath
The operating partnership later collapsed, and the source material does not confirm that the proposed network became a sustained scheduled service.
Recent events
- 2020
Midwest Express ends relationship with Elite Airways and files suit[1]
Lawsuit · Other
Midwest Express said it was terminating its operating relationship with Elite Airways because of an alleged contract breach and filed litigation seeking the return of a financial deposit.
- 2019
Midwest Express announces initial operating arrangement with Elite Airways[1]
Product launch
The proposed airline announced that Elite Airways would provide initial flight operations using Bombardier CRJ-200 aircraft, while Midwest Express would provide the brand, livery, customer-service concept, and reservations presentation.
- 2019
Midwest Express reveals proposed initial routes[1]
Product launch
At a Milwaukee event, the venture identified Milwaukee as its proposed hub and Cincinnati, Grand Rapids, and Omaha as its initial destinations.
Sources4 sources
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