Air Wisconsin Plans More Job Cuts

The regional carrier is blaming “recent uncertainty in the general economy” for this round of layoffs.

An Air Wisconsin CRJ-200 aircraft (Photo: Air Wisconsin)

[ Top Story ]April 14, 2025 9:51 am ET

By Ryan Ewing

Air Wisconsin plans to make additional job cuts, following the end of its contract with American on April 3. The regional airline, which previously notified employees of layoffs set to occur between March 31 and April 14, is now extending the furlough period due to ongoing “uncertainty” in the airline industry.

The latest round of workforce reductions, announced last week, is expected to impact approximately 128 salaried and management positions. These cuts are slated to take effect in June for management employees, while unionized workers may face earlier layoffs depending on their collective bargaining agreements, the carrier stated.

Previously, the Appleton, Wisconsin-based airline planned for over 500 layoffs, including 219 management employees and 294 that are union-represented.

In a notice sent to the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development, Tina Vos, Air Wisconsin’s vice president of human resources, explained: “Although we have been diligently pursuing alternative flying opportunities, recent uncertainty in the general economy and the airline industry has caused us to re-evaluate our strategy.”

The job cuts will affect operations at both General Mitchell International Airport in Milwaukee and Appleton International Airport. Positions to be eliminated span a wide range of roles, including executives, managers, specialists, and support staff across various departments, such as maintenance, flight operations, human resources, and information technology.

For unionized employees, represented by organizations including the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, Air Line Pilots Association, Association of Flight Attendants, and Transportation Workers Union of America, the reductions are expected to be temporary. However, for management and salaried employees, the cuts are anticipated to be permanent.

Air Wisconsin has stated that the duration of the reduction is unknown and will depend on future opportunities. The airline ended its scheduled flying agreement with American as part of a “strategic shift,” CEO Robert Binns said earlier this year.

Now, the carrier is pursuing government-subsidized Essential Air Service contracts and charter flying with its all-CRJ-200 fleet. It has yet to be awarded an EAS contract.

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Ryan Ewing

Ryan founded AirlineGeeks.com back in February 2013 and has amassed considerable experience in the aviation sector. His work has been featured in several publications and news outlets, including CNN, WJLA, CNET, and Business Insider. During his time in the industry, he's worked in roles pertaining to airport/airline operations while holding a B.S. in Air Transportation Management from Arizona State University along with an MBA. Ryan has experience in several facets of the industry from behind the yoke of a Cessna 172 to interviewing airline industry executives. Ryan works for AirlineGeeks' owner FLYING Media, spearheading coverage in the commercial aviation space.

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Author

Ryan Ewing

Ryan founded AirlineGeeks.com back in February 2013 and has amassed considerable experience in the aviation sector. His work has been featured in several publications and news outlets, including CNN, WJLA, CNET, and Business Insider. During his time in the industry, he's worked in roles pertaining to airport/airline operations while holding a B.S. in Air Transportation Management from Arizona State University along with an MBA. Ryan has experience in several facets of the industry from behind the yoke of a Cessna 172 to interviewing airline industry executives. Ryan works for AirlineGeeks' owner FLYING Media, spearheading coverage in the commercial aviation space.
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