Air Wisconsin Sells Aircraft Fleet for $110m in Restructuring Move

Air Wisconsin Airlines has completed the sale of its entire aircraft fleet of 38 Bombardier CRJ200 in a transaction valued at approximately $110 million, marking a decisive step in the regional carrier’s restructuring following the loss of its mainline partnership with American Airlines. The transaction was finalized on January 9, according to company disclosures.

The fleet sale was executed by Harbor Diversified Incorporated, which owned Air Wisconsin and its aircraft. Following the transaction, Harbor Diversified no longer holds any operational airline assets. The company said it retains only limited non-operational interests tied to leasing payments on a single aircraft, effectively ending its role as an aircraft-owning airline group.

Air Wisconsin’s aircraft were sold to two separate buyers, though the company has not publicly disclosed the full breakdown of assets between the purchasers. The deal generated roughly $110 million in proceeds, providing liquidity after several difficult years for the Appleton, Wisconsin-based carrier.

The sale comes after a prolonged downturn that began in early 2025, when American Airlines chose not to renew its capacity purchase agreement with Air Wisconsin. The decision stripped the regional operator of its primary source of flying and forced the airline to lay off hundreds of employees. Air Wisconsin had operated as a feeder carrier for American for years, flying regional routes under the American Eagle brand.

Following the loss of the American contract, Air Wisconsin announced plans to pivot away from scheduled regional flying and focus instead on charter and specialty operations. However, workforce reductions continued throughout 2025 as the airline struggled to stabilize its business and align staffing levels with reduced activity.

As part of the fleet sale and broader corporate restructuring, two Air Wisconsin executives were appointed to Harbor Diversified’s board of directors, signaling continuity at the holding-company level despite the exit from airline asset ownership. At the same time, Air Wisconsin’s president was released from the company following completion of the transaction, underscoring the scale of management changes tied to the sale.

The fleet divestment effectively closes a long chapter in Air Wisconsin’s history as a traditional regional airline. Founded in 1965, the carrier spent decades operating turboprop and regional jet services for major US airlines, most recently with a fleet of Bombardier CRJ aircraft.

Industry observers say the sale reflects broader consolidation pressures in the US regional airline sector, where rising costs, pilot shortages, and changing fleet strategies at major carriers have squeezed smaller operators. With its aircraft sold and ownership structure reshaped, Air Wisconsin’s future now hinges on whether it can successfully redefine itself around charter flying or other non-scheduled aviation services.

The transaction caps a turbulent period for the airline and highlights the long-term impact of major network carriers reassessing their regional partnerships.

Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, wbay.com