On the Road: Southwest adds flights from Milwaukee

By Joe Brancatelli

AIRPORT REPORT

Back in Milwaukee, Southwest Makes Its Move: The long-term issues that Republic Airways may face transforming Midwest Airlines into a regional operation probably pale in comparison to the immediate challenge: fending off the arrival of Southwest Airlines in Milwaukee. Just hours before Republic announced its Midwest buy in late June, Southwest firmed up its previously announced intention to invade Midwest’s hub. Southwest’s Milwaukee service will begin on November 1 with

three daily flights to both Kansas City and Baltimore/Washington;
two daily flights to both Las Vegas and Orlando;
and daily flights to both Phoenix and Tampa.

All of the destinations chosen by Southwest are already flown by Midwest or AirTran Airways, which has built up its Milwaukee flying since an abortive attempt two years ago to merge with Midwest. Although Republic did not address the Southwest move when it announced its Midwest purchase, chief executive Bryan Bedford promised to restore the breadth of Midwest’s route network, which suffered a nearlyfatal 40 percent cut last year.