Appleton-based Air Wisconsin Airlines has a new ownership group after the company’s assets were sold to two other entities, according to BizTimes.
On Jan. 9, Harbor Diversified, Inc. sold the assets of Air Wisconsin via two separate transactions. Harbor Diversified is the holding company for Air Wisconsin Airlines.
New Mexico-based CSI Aviation purchased 13 Bombardier airplanes from Air Wisconsin, along with certain “expendable parts,” according to a filing submitted to the SEC.
CSI Aviation provides passenger charter and cargo air transportation. The company has bases in New Mexico, Texas and Florida.
Associated Lease and Finance Group purchased another 12 Bombardier airplanes from Air Wisconsin.
Last September, Air Wisconsin announced it had signed a letter of intent with Florida-based Slate Aviation for the proposed sale of Air Wisconsin’s operations and certain assets. Slate Aviation was not named as a buyer for any other Air Wisconsin assets.
“After giving effect to the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the purchase agreements, neither (Harbor Diversified) nor any of its subsidiaries has any material operating assets or infrastructure to support an airline,” the company stated in an SEC filing.
Air Wisconsin, which serviced the Midwest and East Coast, had been operating as a regional airlines service since 1965. It became a United Express feeder carrier for United Airlines in 1985.
That partnership ended in 2005, at which time Air Wisconsin became a feeder for US Airways, which merged into American Airlines in 2015, at which time Air Wisconsin became an American Eagle affiliate.
In 2025, Air Wisconsin ended its lease agreement with American Airlines. Following the termination of the lease agreement, Air Wisconsin issued a WARN notice stating its 500 employees in Appleton and Milwaukee could lose their jobs.
Following a series of layoffs and the sale of Air Wisconsin, some workers are being recalled. An announcement from the Association of Flight Attendants states Air Wisconsin’s flight attendants have been recalled under new ownership.
“The airline was recently acquired by a new owner with a plan to ramp up flying,” according to the announcement. “All furloughed flight attendants received furlough recall notices this month with about a third opting to return to the airline.”
