Skyway Airlines, The Midwest Express Connection, today announced the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has accepted its bid to provide service between Milwaukee and Iron Mountain, Mich. The airline bid for the service through the Essential Air Service (EAS) program.

EAS guarantees that small communities served by certified air carriers before the Airline Deregulation Act of 1978 continue to maintain a minimal level of scheduled service. The DOT currently subsidizes airlines to serve approximately 100 rural communities across the country that otherwise would not receive scheduled air service.

Skyway Airlines will fly two nonstop roundtrip flights and one one-stop flight each weekday beginning January 31, 2003. Weekend flights will also be offered. In addition to Iron Mountain, Skyway’s participation in the EAS program includes service to Ironwood and Manistee, Mich. beginning January 6, 2003.

“We are proud to participate in the EAS program and pleased to add another Michigan city to our flight schedule,” said James P. Rankin, president and chief executive officer of Skyway Airlines. “It is our goal to not only provide passengers with efficient access to Milwaukee, but also connections to cities throughout the United States.” Skyway’s Iron Mountain service to Milwaukee provides convenient connections on Midwest Express and Skyway to more than 50 destinations including Atlanta, Denver, Orlando and Phoenix .

Skyway Airlines is operated by Astral Aviation, Inc. - a subsidiary of Milwaukee-based Midwest Express Airlines. Service on the EAS Michigan routes will be operated using Skyway’s fleet of Beech 1900D aircraft, 19-passenger turboprops that feature leather seats and stand-up cabins.

Schedules, including a downloadable timetable, and fares for Skyway’s new Iron Mountain service will be available at www.midwestexpress.com the week of December 16.

Midwest Express Airlines features nonstop jet service to major destinations throughout the United States. Astral Aviation, Inc. - its wholly owned subsidiary - operates Skyway Airlines, The Midwest Express Connection, which offers connections to Midwest Express as well as point-to-point service between select markets on regional jet and turboprop aircraft. Together, the airlines offer service to 54 cities. More information is available at www.midwestexpress.com.

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