Great Plains Airlines' fate could be decided next week

<br>(Mascoutah, Illinois-AP) -- A February 17th court date could decide the future of Tulsa-based Great Plains Airlines. <br><br>The airline had been providing passenger service at MidAmerica St. Louis

Tuesday, February 10th 2004, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

(Mascoutah, Illinois-AP) -- A February 17th court date could decide the future of Tulsa-based Great Plains Airlines.

The airline had been providing passenger service at MidAmerica St. Louis Airport before filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy last month.

But now, an airplane leasing company called Wings Aircraft Finance is asking a judge to force Great Plains to return three planes. The judge is scheduled to hear the motion next week.

MidAmerica Director Tim Cantwell says Great Plaines would cease to exist if it's forced to return the planes. Cantwell says he's looking forward to working with Great Plains once it emerges from bankruptcy because it's a good fit for the Illinois airfield.

Great Plains started service at MidAmerica on October 7th with flights from Tulsa, Oklahoma City, Chicago and Washington, DC.