Midwest Claims New O'Hare Routes Will Cost it Millions

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 a switch of other routes in the sky, including those in and out of Mitchell.

FAA spokesman Tony Molinaro said the agency is working with all airlines on the changes, which remain in flux and under study.

"You don't want to pack the planes in there until you are sure you are comfortable and you see what is happening out there," Molinaro said.

The change was made March 15 as part of an ongoing process to redesign airspace around Chicago for the massive O'Hare expansion project that will increase the number of flights taking off or landing in an east or west direction.

Midwest officials say their east and south flights are now lengthening by five minutes and about 70 miles. Added up over the course of a year on scores of flights, that equals millions of dollars in fuel and time costs, Skornicka said.

Midwest officials were in the Chicago area Thursday talking with FAA officials about the issue. The benefits of the new eastbound route out of O'Hare have not yet been determined, Molinaro said.

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