Air Wisconsin Airlines history

The company went public in 1970 and was consistently profitable for more than two decades after.

In September 1978 the airline was certified by the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) as a regional air carrier (Air Wisconsin previously had commuter air carrier status with the CAB). In October 1978 it had over $10 million in assets.

By 1985, Air Wisconsin had become the country's largest regional airline.

Air Wisconsin had a disappointing year in 1989, and blamed United Airlines for taking its most profitable routes, such as Milwaukee-Chicago.

In 1990 Air Wisconsin acquired Denver-based Aspen Airways and was itself bought by United Airlines a year later.

Air Wisconsin lost more than $31 million in 1991.

In 1992, United Airlines bought Air Wis Services Inc., Air Wisconsin's parent company, for more than $300 million in cash (about $74 million) and assumed liabilities.

United Airlines sold Air Wisconsin and the BAe 146 fleet to CJT Holdings in 1993.

Revenues were $140 million for 1998, producing income of $3.5 million.

2001: AWAC gives Bombardier a $2.4 billion RJ order.

Air Wis planned to be operating 100 flights a day for AirTran by the end of 2003.

During 2005 AWAC invested $175 million United States into US Airways for their bankruptcy exit financing in exchange for a long-term contract operating as US Airways Express.

In 2016, it was announced that Air Wisconsin would close all of its ground handling operations in all cities served by the air carrier primarily due to the formation of a wholly-owned subsidiary of United called United Ground Express.