O'Hare routes may cost struggling airline millions.(News)

0 Comments | Daily Herald (Arlington Heights, IL), March, 2007 | by Ryan, Joseph

Byline: Joseph Ryan Daily Herald Staff Writer An airspace redesign meant to reduce delays at O'Hare International Airport is threatening the financial stability of a struggling Milwaukee-based airline. Midwest Airlines, which runs 147 flights daily out of Mitchell International Airport serving 21 cities nonstop, might lose millions of dollars because of longer flights caused by O'Hare's new airspace model, said Midwest spokeswoman Carol Skornicka.

Last year Midwest pulled a profit of $5.6 million after losing about $65 million in 2005, and it is fighting a takeover bid by Airtran Airways. "The impact is very substantial," she said. The problem stems from the FAA's move to add a second eastbound airspace lane for flights out of O'Hare. The move forced...