Midwest Airlines cutting flights at KCI

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- High fuel costs and a slumping economy has forced Midwest Airlines to reduce service 30 percent to 40 percent, including cutting flights from Kansas City to two cities and nonstop flights to two others, the airline announced Sunday.

While the Midwest cuts might not have a huge effect on Kansas City International Airport, other airlines are likely to follow suit, airport spokesman Joe McBride said.

"Decreases in service are related to the economy and the high cost of fuel," McBride said. "We had a banner '07, and there's a little fallout this year, but we're still in pretty good shape. What's important for the Kansas City traveler is to have good access to the major markets in the country, and we still have that."

The airline will no longer have flights from Kansas City to San Diego and San Antonio, and it will end nonstop flights to Orlando, Fla., and Madison, Wis., officials said. Last week, the airline dropped service to Austin, Texas, and ended direct flights between Kansas City and Pittsburgh.

There will be no flights at all between Kansas City and Orlando from Sept. 8 through Oct. 20, though they will be available Oct. 21 through Milwaukee, the airline said.

Midwest jets will continue service from Kansas City to Boston, New York, Washington, Los Angeles and San Francisco.

The biggest effect will be on service for leisure travelers.

"Our new schedule retains critical routs for business travelers out of Kansas City," said Midwest Airlines spokesman Michael Brophy. "That's how we started the airline in Milwaukee and transitioned to our second hub in Kansas City -- a reliance on business travel. It still serves corporate business travelers very well out of Kansas City."

Brophy said other airlines also might have to cut service to some cities to make ends meet.

Midwest also announced it is reducing its work force by 40 percent, including cutting 110 of its 274 employees in Kansas City.

McBride said there have been hints that other airlines will be reducing service in September and October, with Midwest making the first major announcement.

Further cuts could dampen revenues at KCI because fewer people will be parking, eating and shopping.

"There are some communities losing air service altogether," he said. "While we're losing some service, and fares are not as cheap as they've been in the past, we still think we're in a good position."

Brophy said fuel costs have risen 50 percent to 60 percent in the last year.

"It's three words: Fuel, fuel and fuel," he said.

Sunday's announced cuts are Midwest's latest attempt to avoid filing Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The airline also is trying to get concessions from its pilots' and flight attendants' unions.