April 7, 2011 - Pilot leaders of Air Wisconsin Airlines Corporation (AWAC ) will no longer support or participate in the airline’s Aviation Safety Action Program (ASAP) effective April 7. Representatives for the pilots’ union made this difficult decision following recent actions by the AWAC flight department, which interfered with the conduct and integrity of the program. The goal of the ASAP is to enhance aviation safety through the prevention of accidents and incidents by using reports voluntarily submitted by pilots in a pro-active, non-punitive environment.

“The recent actions by Air Wisconsin management to circumvent the program have led the Air Wisconsin pilots to question the integrity of the company’s ASAP program and its commitment to the employees of the company and the traveling public,” said Capt. Joe Ellis, chairman of the Air Wisconsin Master Executive Council (MEC). “The ARW MEC believes that management’s refusal to follow the processes outlined in the program that lead to safety enhancements indicates the company does not value the program.”