Nonstop to Milwaukee Now on Tap at Akron-Canton Airport

New SkyWest (in partnership with AirTran Airways) flights are celebrated with a Harley-Davidson party

GREEN, Ohio, Jan. 5 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Bikers, cheese heads and beer lovers rejoice! SkyWest Airlines in partnership with AirTran Airways launched nonstop service to Milwaukee's General Mitchell International Airport (MKE) from Akron-Canton Airport (CAK) this morning. To celebrate, the airport and Liberty Harley-Davidson threw a Harley-Davidson-themed party complete with motorcycles and a biker breakfast for passengers on the first flight.

Not only is Milwaukee home to Harley-Davidson, it is remarkably close to Northern Chicago, giving CAK passengers easy, affordable access to two great cities. The new flights also connect into AirTran Airways' growing hub at MKE, allowing for easy connections to great cities like Minneapolis/ St. Paul, Denver and Las Vegas.

"We are delighted to work in close partnership with SkyWest and AirTran Airways to launch new service to Milwaukee," said Rick McQueen, President & CEO. "The new flights provide important new options, low fares and excellent access to the Northern Chicago region from CAK. Needless to say, this is a wonderful way to kick off 2010."

"SkyWest Airlines, in partnership with AirTran Airways, is pleased to bring more quality, convenient service to Akron-Canton passengers," said Brandi Honey, SkyWest's manager - marketing. "With these flights, customers will enjoy all the benefits of AirTran Airways' vast route network through their Milwaukee hub."

"Our marketing partner, SkyWest Airlines, is making it easier than ever for our customers in Akron-Canton and northeastern Ohio to access our entire coast-to-coast network," said Cynthia Tinsley-Douglas, AirTran's director, corporate communications. "Customers in the greater Cleveland region are now literally just over an hour flight from one of our biggest operations with connections to more than 20 cities from Baltimore to Seattle."

To further celebrate the new service, airport officials announced the upcoming Milwaukee Mancation and Harley-Davidson Giveaway. This mantastic Mancation includes airfare for two to Milwaukee, two night hotel stay (March 5-7, 2010), tickets to the March 6, 2010 Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Milwaukee Bucks game and a tour of a Milwaukee Brewery. This lucky winner will also receive a Harley bike for a year courtesy of Liberty Harley-Davidson located in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio. To enter, contestants will complete a short questionnaire about why they or their favorite man should be selected (great dad, awesome buddy, biggest Harley fan, etc...) at akroncantonairport.com/harleymancation. The contest will begin February 1, 2010 and end on February 26, 2010 at midnight. The winner must be 21 years of age or older. Other rules and restrictions will apply. Full contest information will be available on the airport's website on February 1, 2010.

About Akron-Canton Airport

Akron-Canton Airport kicked off CAK 2018, its 10-year, $110-million Capital Improvement Plan in 2008. The plan is the most ambitious in the airport's 64-year history. Keep up to date on all things CAK by visiting Social CAK - our comprehensive social media portal. Additional information including flight reservations, driving instructions, and relaxation station is available at www.akroncantonairport.com, Akron-Canton Airport a better way to go®.

About SkyWest Airlines

SkyWest Airlines, a wholly-owned subsidiary of SkyWest, Inc. (Nasdaq: SKYW) employs more than 10,000 aviation professionals and serves a total of 150 cities in 39 states, five Canadian provinces and Mexico with more than 1,500 daily departures. Named most reliable CRJ200 operator in the Americas by Bombardier in 2007 and 2008, SkyWest was awarded the FAA's AMT Gold Award for maintenance training in 2004, 2005 and 2007, and the AMT Diamond award in 2006. More about SkyWest Airlines can be found at www.skywest.com.

About AirTran Airways

AirTran Airways, a subsidiary of AirTran Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: AAI) and a Fortune 1000 company, has been ranked the number one low cost carrier in the Airline Quality Rating study for the past two years. AirTran is the only major airline with Wi-Fi on every flight and offers coast-to-coast service on North America's newest all-Boeing fleet. Its low-cost, high-quality product also includes assigned seating, Business Class and complimentary XM Satellite Radio on every flight. To book a flight, visit www.airtran.com.

About Liberty Harley-Davidson

Liberty Harley, established in 1987 and based in Akron, Ohio, has fast become a sales leader in the tri-county area with a pure devotion to customer service...because at the end of the day... all Harleys are created equal, it is the dealership and its staff that makes the difference.

SOURCE Akron-Canton Airport