United Airlines is Leaving CWA - What That Means For You!
Airlines cutting regional routes isn’t new – a widespread trend of routing changes was spurred by the COVID pandemic after months of plummeted travel demand. Once the federal moratorium against laying off workers was lifted in fall 2020, airlines began announcing changes to service in regular intervals. However, the recent announcement of United suspending service to Central Wisconsin Airport is the biggest change to our area. How will this impact our airline service going forward? Let’s dive into some possibilities.
United Airlines isn’t the first to announce routing changes or cuts; historically, airlines have always had to adapt to changing business and leisure travel needs in this way. Like any other business, they must balance the ability to offer service with revenues. So why do we care so much about United suspending service at CWA?
Flying out of CWA has so many benefits! It’s small, with only five boarding gates, so it is super easy to navigate, meaning less stress during your travels. Check-in and security lines are short, so you’ll spend less time aimlessly wandering or sitting idly at the airport prior to your departure. You’ll save time – driving to Minneapolis-St. Paul, Chicago Midway, or Chicago O’Hare takes several hours in good weather conditions. Typically, it’s not too bad. But when weather is questionable, or your airport arrival time is close to the morning or evening commute, you will need even more time to get to your destination, get parked, and get to the check-in or security area. Parking fees are a fraction of the price at CWA compared to the nearby major hubs; and if you live relatively close to Mosinee, you can take a cab, an Uber, or ask a friend of family member to drop you off and pick you up, saving even more!
Click this beautiful photo to learn more about everything CWA has to offer!
Photo copyright: Central Wisconsin Airport
CWA has great connections – With Delta and American Airlines’ short flights to major hubs like Chicago O’Hare, Detroit, and Minneapolis-St. Paul, it’s so convenient! Hopping on a flight in Mosinee saves you all the stress of driving to, and sometimes through, a major city, parking, etc. Finally, flying CWA supports local – think about all the jobs you support by using your regional airport! From the café, to the TSA agents, to the flight tower, and more, you are helping your friends, family, and neighbors!
Now that United is vacating CWA, that leaves us open for opportunity! In recent news articles and interviews such as this one, CWA Director Brian Grefe touched on a couple of different possibilities for filling that space, and I’ll expand a little on those ideas. It would be a good opportunity for either Delta or American Airlines, or both, to increase their local footprint. Expanding their flights out of CWA, especially in time for 2022 spring break travel, could really help either airline increase their share of the market. Plus increased local flight options would be a huge benefit to travelers for all the reasons outlined above! Another potential scenario would be that airlines without a current presence at CWA, but have nearby point-to-point city routes that could potentially take advantage of the open space. Carriers such as Frontier and Spirit with routes running out of Chicago O’Hare, Sun Country flying out of Minneapolis-St. Paul, and Southwest out of Chicago Midway would be prime candidates to add a route connecting to Central Wisconsin. I’m excited to see what Brian and CWA will bring to our area to help our clients have even better travel experiences!