Air Wisconsin Airlines has announced that more than 400 of its pilots have ratified a new three-year contract.

The pilots were represented by the union Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA).

Under this new contract, which will become amendable on 21 November 2022, will provide $6m in pay raises and other improvements.

The ratification of a tentative agreement reached on 12 September follows after two weeks of voting. It follows ten years of direct negotiations and federal mediation that was overseen by the National Mediation Board.

ALPA Air Wisconsin Master Executive Council chairman captain Ken Nesbitt said: “After ten years of turmoil and uncertainty at our airline, we are gratified to finally bring this negotiation to a close with a contract that provides real, permanent improvements for our pilot group.”

According to the new agreement, one-time bonus payments previously offered by management have been converted into permanent pay rate increases.

It also saves Air Wisconsin’s 1.5% annual pay increase with no expiration date, healthcare premiums and plan design, hours of service duty limits.

Air Wisconsin Airlines chief executive officer Christine Deister said: “We are pleased to come to an agreement with our pilot group that provides a solid future and accelerated career growth opportunities while recognising and rewarding the contributions pilots make to our operation every day.

“This new agreement represents many years of collaborative work, and we would like to especially recognise the contributions of the Air Wisconsin ALPA Negotiating Committee, the Master Executive Council, and our professional pilots that work hard every day to provide safe, reliable transportation and premier customer service to our United Express passengers.”

As a part of a long-term capacity purchase agreement, which was signed in February 2018 with United Airlines, Air Wisconsin became an exclusive United Airlines Express carrier.

This agreement provides Air Wisconsin pilots opportunity to the United Mainline flight deck through the United Aviate programme.

Air Wisconsin has planned to hire as much as 300 pilots next year to support the United Mainline Aviate programme.