Is Great Lakes Airlines Still Flying?
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Great Lakes Airlines Route Network
Primary Hub
Denver International Airport (DEN) — historical
Alliance & Partner Airlines
Baggage, Seating & Onboard Amenities
Carry-On & Personal Item
Checked Baggage
Excess Baggage Fees
Seat Selection & Cabin Classes
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Great Lakes Airlines suspended all scheduled flight operations on March 26, 2018, after a national pilot shortage — worsened by 2013 FAA rules requiring first officers to hold Airline Transport Pilot certification — made it impossible to adequately staff its regional fleet.
Great Lakes Airlines' IATA code was ZK, with ICAO code GLA.
Great Lakes Airlines operated small regional turboprop aircraft — Beechcraft 1900Ds and Embraer 120 Brasilias — on Essential Air Service routes connecting small communities across the Midwestern and Western US to hub airports like Denver.
A 2013 FAA regulation increased minimum flight-hour and certification requirements for first officers, sharply reducing the pool of eligible regional pilots. Great Lakes was particularly exposed to this shortage and, after reducing seating capacity on some aircraft to work around the rule, ultimately couldn't sustain scheduled operations and shut down in March 2018.
At the time it ceased operations, the company stated it had not filed for bankruptcy and intended to sell its remaining assets, including its fleet of Beechcraft 1900D and Embraer 120 aircraft.
Different regional and EAS-focused carriers were assigned to Great Lakes' former small-community routes through the US Department of Transportation's ongoing EAS bidding process — assignments can change over time, so check current DOT EAS carrier listings for your specific airport.
No. Since Great Lakes Airlines does not operate flights, you can't book tickets directly with it.
No — the 2013 regulatory change affected regional airlines industry-wide, contributing to reduced small-community air service across the US, though Great Lakes was among the carriers most severely affected given its reliance on entry-level regional pilots.
Check the current US DOT Essential Air Service carrier list for your specific small-community airport, since assignments have changed multiple times since Great Lakes' 2018 shutdown.
There's no indication of a relaunch — the 2018 operational shutdown has remained permanent for scheduled passenger service.
Domestic Flight Cities
- Cheap Flights to Atlanta
- Cheap Flights to Denver
- Cheap Flights to Los Angeles
- Cheap Flights to Phoenix
- Cheap Flights to Baltimore
- Cheap Flights to Fort Lauderdale
- Cheap Flights to Miami
- Cheap Flights to San Diego
- Cheap Flights to Boston
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- Cheap Flights to New York
- Cheap Flights to San Francisco
- Cheap Flights to Chicago
- Cheap Flights to Houston
- Cheap Flights to Orlando
- Cheap Flights to Seattle
- Cheap Flights to Dallas
- Cheap Flights to Las Vegas
- Cheap Flights to Philadelphia
- Cheap Flights to Tampa
Looking for Flights on Great Lakes Airlines’ Former Routes?
Great Lakes Airlines ceased operations in 2018. Check the US DOT’s current Essential Air Service carrier assignment for your specific small-community airport.