Skyway Airlines Shuts Down

MILWAUKEE

Hundreds of people lost their jobs Saturday when Skyway became the fourth airline this week to cease operations.

"It’s a tough industry. You know, the economy is kind of hurting right now and it’s definitely hurting the airlines," said Melissa Famighetti, Skyway pilot.Employees, family and friends gathered to watch the final Skyway flight arrive from Green Bay at Mitchell International Airport Saturday afternoon.

The pilot surprised onlookers by doing a flyover past the terminal, later pulling up to the gate as the plane taxied under a bridge of water supplied by airport firefighting vehicles.For more than a decade, Skyway has been a big part of the Milwaukee aviation scene operating as Midwest Connect. While Saturday marked the end of Skyway, it is not the end of Midwest Connect.

Beginning Sunday, Skywest will begin operating. There will be a few changes in schedules but the impact on the public will be far less than it has been on employees.