Air Wisconsin Airlines LLC, a regional air carrier and an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Harbor Diversified, Inc. (OTCMKTS: HRBR) (the “Company”), today announced a strategic realignment to focus on Essential Air Service Program (“EAS”) markets, expand its charter operations, and transition its relationship with American Airlines, Inc. (“American Airlines”) to a codeshare and interline relationship.

Air Wisconsin Bombardier CRJ200 (CL-600-2B19) N469AW (msn 7917) IAD (Brian McDonough). Image: 961211.

As part of this strategic shift, Air Wisconsin’s capacity purchase agreement with American Airlines will conclude in April 2025. The two airlines are transitioning to a codeshare and interline relationship, enabling Air Wisconsin to focus on federally subsidized EAS routes that deliver vital air connectivity to rural and underserved communities. These routes provide critical transportation links for communities that might otherwise lack access to air travel.

Air Wisconsin’s fleet of sixty 50-seat CRJ-200 aircraft is well-suited to serve EAS markets, where smaller, efficient aircraft are in high demand. The fleet provides the right capacity and operational flexibility to meet the unique needs of these markets.

Additionally, Air Wisconsin has further diversified its operations with a recent focus on the charter market. Demand for its CRJ-200 aircraft has grown significantly, particularly among NCAA collegiate sports teams. The realignment of major athletic conferences has increased travel distances for teams, both during their regular season and post-season tournaments. Air Wisconsin’s fleet is well-equipped to meet the needs of most collegiate teams and other private and group charter customers seeking tailored travel solutions.

Having recently retired all the remaining debt on its aircraft, Air Wisconsin embarks on this new direction with enhanced financial flexibility.

“This strategic shift underscores our adaptability and commitment to delivering reliable, customized air travel solutions where they are most needed,” said Robert Binns, President & CEO of Air Wisconsin. “As we diversify into EAS and grow our charter operations, we remain committed to delivering safe, efficient, and quality service to every community and customer we serve.”

About Air Wisconsin Airlines

Air Wisconsin Airlines has been a key player in regional aviation since 1965, operating a fleet of sixty CRJ-200 aircraft.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release, together with other statements and information publicly disseminated by the Company, contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The Company intends such forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and includes this statement for purposes of complying with these safe harbor provisions. Any statements made in this press release that are not statements of historical fact, including statements about our beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements and should be evaluated as such. These statements often include words such as “anticipate,” “expect,” “suggests,” “plan,” “believe,” “intend,” “estimates,” “targets,” “projects,” “should,” “could,” “would,” “may,” “will,” “forecast” and other similar expressions. Management bases these forward-looking statements on its current expectations, plans and assumptions that it has made in light of its experience in the industry, as well as its perceptions of historical trends, current conditions, expected future developments and other factors we believe are appropriate under the circumstances at such time. Although management believes these forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions at the time they are made, you should be aware that many factors could affect the Company’s business, results of operations and financial condition and could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements. These statements are not guarantees of future performance or results. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements concerning the following: the Company’s ability to successfully transition its operations to support EAS markets, charter operations, and transition its relationship with American Airlines to a codeshare and interline relationship; the timing and expectations regarding termination of the wind-down period under the American Airlines capacity purchase agreement; the Company’s ability to be selected as the carrier servicing EAS routes and its suitability for operating EAS routes; the Company’s plans for and ability to grow its operations within the charter sector; and the Company’s assessment of market demands and its ability to deliver solutions that meet such demands. These forward-looking statements are subject to and involve numerous risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including those discussed under the caption “Risk Factors” in the Company’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, as may be updated from time to time in subsequent filings, and you should not place undue reliance on these statements. These cautionary statements are made only as of the date of this press release. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.

Per Emirates:

Emirates has launched an inspiring journey to officially become the world’s first Autism Certified Airline™, inviting customers with autism and sensory sensitivities to experience Emirates’ seamless services and personalised hospitality, making travel more accessible for all. The inaugural designation is set to be formally awarded by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES) in the coming months, when more than 30,000 Emirates cabin crew and ground staff will have completed the initial training. Emirates also plans to roll out new standards and services that will improve the on ground and inflight travel experience for both customers on the autism spectrum and their families and companions, to be announced later in the year.

Accessible Travel for all

For many members of the global autism community, international air travel is a highly challenging experience, or something to be avoided completely, due to the high level of sensory stimuli that can be involved. A survey on AutismTravel.com revealed that 78% of families are hesitant to travel or visit new locations, and that 94% of respondents would take more vacations if they had access to places where staff are autism-trained and certified. As part of Emirates’ mission to make travel more inclusive and accessible for all, this significant step also supports Dubai’s ambition to become the most accessible destination in the world.

What is the Autism Certified Airline™ designation (ACA)?

Driven by its commitment to creating a welcoming travel experience for all customers including individuals with autism and those with sensory sensitivities, Emirates worked collaboratively with IBCCES, a leading organization in autism and neurodiversity training and certification, to conduct an onsite review and comprehensive audit.

As part of a vast research endeavour, IBCCES surveyed more than 14,000 people with a variety of disabilities, including people with autism, those with sensory sensitivities and their families and caregivers. The survey data was collated alongside numerous interviews, an International Air Transport Association (IATA) industry survey, and feedback from 1,200 industry professionals – helping develop the most beneficial standards for both passengers and airline staff. In addition to the feedback collated, IBCCES experts also conducted several Emirates flight audits on both long and short haul routes.

The collation of detailed data ensured input from key stakeholders including the lived experiences of people with autism, global thought leaders, industry professionals and healthcare experts – combined to create new industry standards that accommodate passengers with autism and sensory sensitivities during air travel. Using a data-driven approach, Emirates and IBCCES partnered to create a new blueprint for serving passengers with accessibility requirements, encompassing the entire journey – from ground services to in-flight services, and Emirates will lead the way in bringing these new standards into practice in aviation for the first time. The thorough certification process includes ensuring at least 80% of customer-facing staff complete the dedicated training, alongside a commitment to ongoing training and improvements.

Emirates’ autism and sensory-awareness training for more than 30,000 staff

As part of the designation, Emirates’ ground staff and cabin crew will undertake a new, focused training on autism and sensory awareness to equip them with the understanding and skills to address needs of travellers with autism and sensory sensitivities, along with their families. The training educates Emirates’ teams on the spectrum of autism, misconceptions and challenges faced, the myriad ways to assist customers dependent on their individual needs, and potential stimulus and triggers that staff should be aware of. The new training builds on the foundations established by the Emirates ‘Introduction to Autism and Hidden Disabilities’ training, which was completed by 23,000 staff in 2023. 

Emirates’ new standards and services for customers with autism

Throughout 2025 and beyond, Emirates will be introducing new standards and services for customers with autism and sensory conditions that will ensure more enjoyable and accessible travel. One such service is the introduction of ‘sensory guides’ – digital aids developed as part of the audit conducted by IBCCES in collaboration with Emirates that empower travellers to make informed decisions about the various environments encountered, and plan what suits their needs and preferences. The guides were created by conducting comprehensive facilities audits across Dubai locations and the inflight experience, measuring sensory inputs in public areas such as sound levels, lighting, and potential sights and smells. Another development expected in 2025 will be the introduction of neurodiverse sensory products, for customers on Emirates flights – sensory fidget toys or aids that can encourage focus, help to reduce self stimulatory behaviour and de-stress.

Working together for Accessible Travel: Emirates, Dubai Airports and Dubai Tourism

In April 2024, Emirates achieved a Certified Autism Center™ Designation for all four of its Dubai Check In facilities including its dedicated hub in Terminal 3 at Dubai International Airport (DXB). In December 2023, Dubai Airport was celebrated as the first international airport to receive the Certified Autism Centre™ Designation. Continuing to drive the accessible travel agenda forward, Emirates’ new training programme, as well as new standards and protocols to be implemented in stages in 2025 and beyond, will enable neurodiverse customers to fly more comfortably. These achievements align with the Department of Economy and Tourism’s (DET) vision of Dubai becoming the first Certified Autism Destination™ (CAD) in the Eastern Hemisphere. By working closely together – Emirates, the Department of Economy and Tourism, Dubai Airports, the General Directorate of Residency and Foreign Affairs, Dubai Police and Dubai Customs, are making significant inroads in inclusive and accessible travel.

About IBCCES

Delivering The Global Standard For Training and Certification in The Field of Cognitive Disorders – IBCCES provides a series of certifications that empower professionals to be leaders in their field and improve the outcomes for the individuals they serve. These programs are recognized around the world as the leading benchmark for training and certification in the areas of autism and other cognitive disorders. IBCCES partners with cities, destinations, and organizations on initiatives like the Certified Autism Destination™ (CAD) program, ensuring autistic and sensory-sensitive visitors feel welcomed and safe. Becoming a CAD means tourism, hospitality, and entertainment organizations complete autism and sensory sensitivity training and certification developed and delivered by IBCCES. IBCCES also created AutismTravel.com, a free online resource for families that lists certified destinations and connects families to other resources and each other.

Delta Air Lines and Endeavor Air have entered into a 10-year agreement, naming AeroCore Technologies as their exclusive engine foam wash provider. The wash program leverages AeroCore’s globally patented Nucleated Foam Technology to restore engine performance, improve fuel efficiency, reduce carbon emissions and save maintenance hours across the majority of Delta’s and Delta Connection’s fleet.

Delta Air Lines Airbus A321-211 WL N353DN (msn 8322) ONT (Michael B. Ing). Image: 964215.

AeroCore’s innovative approach to aircraft engine cleaning delivers immediate and lasting results. By reducing engine temperatures, restoring fuel economy, and cutting CO2 emissions, AeroCore’s environmentally safe foam wash provides superior performance recovery compared to traditional water or detergent engine cleaning methods.

Engine-type agnostic and non-invasive, the foam wash efficiently cleans the entire engine gas path without the need for disassembly, complex setups, or towing the aircraft to a designated wash location. AeroCore’s service is performed planeside, at the gate, allowing up to four engines to be cleaned simultaneously with full capture of engine wash effluent. The entire process is completed in approximately 1 hour.

David Thompson, Vice President of Engineering, Quality & Safety at Delta Air Lines, said: “We are thankful to have a partner in AeroCore that can service our entire fleet and help support Delta’s fuel savings and engine health priorities.”

“We are grateful for Delta’s confidence in AeroCore’s technology and the value it brings to their fleet. AeroCore is proud to support Delta, and we look forward to further strengthening this partnership,” said Jorge Saenz, Founder, and Kevin Bourke, Chief Executive Officer, AeroCore Technologies.

Flexjet, a leading luxury private aviation company, formally submitted its declaration of compliance to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) that it meets the new mandatory rule for 14CFR Part 5 Safety Management System (SMS). As an industry leader in aviation safety standards, Flexjet’s strong commitment to creating, adopting and improving upon current safety standards puts it in the top 1% of private jet providers in compliance with the FAA’s SMS program. Flexjet also promotes and practices transparency and sharing data that propels industry safety measures forward, beyond mandatory guidelines.

This declaration follows Flexjet’s initial active conformance with the FAA’s SMS Voluntary Program (SMSVP) in October 2021. Since then, the company has been in the process of significantly enhancing its existing SMS to incorporate requirements from other global aviation regulators. As a result, Flexjet meets and exceeds many of the FAA’s requirements as part of the CFR Part 5 SMS and does so well ahead of the May 2027 deadline for this mandate.

“We pride ourselves in our nonstop pursuit of best-in-class safety practices, ensuring our aircraft Owners have the utmost peace of mind when in a Flexjet aircraft,” said Charles Starkowsky, Chief Safety Officer at Flexjet. “It takes an organization-wide culture of safety to be able to proactively build out a Safety Management System like this so far ahead of the FAA’s deadline, and Flexjet is a prime example for the industry to follow.”

Though not an FAA requirement, Flexjet has, throughout its 30-year history, actively participated in a formal, top-down, bottom-up, organization-wide approach to managing safety risk and assuring the effectiveness of safety risk controls. This includes systematic procedures, practices and policies for safety risk management. This advanced SMS provides an additional layer of protection for our aircraft Owners, pilots, crews and ground personnel.

Flexjet’s declaration of compliance adds to a lengthy list of safety certifications and awards that were secured thanks to a comprehensive framework of processes, policies and proprietary data built by top safety experts to ensure the highest degree of safety standards in the industry. These additional recognitions include a platinum safety rating from ARGUS, an Industry Audit Standard (IAS) certification, an IS-BAO Stage 2 compliance certification and 25 years winning the FAA Diamond Award of Excellence for Aviation Maintenance Technician Training.

Flexjet’s comprehensive Corporate Safety Management System is built on four important components:

• Safety Policy: The company documents its safety standards, develops procedures needed to implement that policy and develops an organizational structure to support its enactment and continued improvement.
• Safety Risk Management: The company identifies hazards and puts into place risk controls to either eliminate those hazards or mitigate them to an acceptable level.
• Safety Assurance: The company regularly reviews its risk controls to make sure they are effective.
• Safety Promotion: The company implements training, communicates safety objectives throughout the organization and shares results of the system to help build a positive safety culture.

About Flexjet
Flexjet, a global leader in private aviation, first entered the fractional jet ownership market in 1995 and is about to celebrate its 30th anniversary. Flexjet offers fractional jet ownership and leasing and is the first in the world to be recognized as achieving the Air Charter Safety Foundation’s Industry Audit Standard, is the first and only company to be honored with 25 FAA Diamond Awards for Excellence, upholds an ARG/US Platinum Safety Rating, a 4AIR Bronze Sustainable Rating and is certified at Stage 2 with IS-BAO. Red Label by Flexjet, a market differentiator, features an ultra-modern fleet, flight crews dedicated to a single aircraft and the LXi Cabin Collection of interiors. To date there are nearly 50 different interior designs across its fleet, which includes the Embraer Phenom 300, Praetor 500 and 600, Bombardier Challenger 350/3500 and the Gulfstream G450 and G650. Flexjet’s European fleet includes the Embraer Praetor 600 and the Gulfstream G650. Flexjet’s helicopter division offers leases, helicopter cards and convenient interchange access for its aircraft Owners. Flexjet owns, operates and maintains its fleet of Sikorsky S-76 helicopters which boast 55,000 hours of safe flying certified by Wyvern and ARG/US and serving locations throughout the northeastern United States, United Kingdom and Florida. Flexjet is a member of the Directional Aviation family of companies.