Five years after Frontier Airlines stopped service on the route, Columbus is again getting nonstop flights to Milwaukee.

This time, though, the service is aimed at business travelers with twice-daily service on weekdays aboard seven-seat Hawker 400XP jets.

OneJet, which launched in 2015 and now serves 10 routes from its Pittsburgh operations base, on Tuesday is announcing a new base in Milwaukee, serving Columbus and Omaha.

Matthew Maguire, CEO of OneJet, said the service hopes to add flights in Columbus if the route performs well.

The new service is an example of how upstart airlines are looking to fill a void left by airline consolidation.

"We go into markets where consolidation may mean fewer flights today," Maguire said.

Midsized, non-hub airports such as John Glenn Columbus International Airport, in cities with a healthy business climate, are ideal targets, he added.

Maguire said midsize cities around the country have lost flights on the major airlines, meaning lost time and productivity for business travelers. He said about half of OneJet's business comes from major corporations, the other half from small business customers.

Flights depart Columbus for Milwaukee at 8:20 a.m. and 5:20 p.m. Monday through Friday. Return flights from Milwaukee leave at 6 a.m. and 3 p.m.

Fares will range between $200 and $300 each way, $20 to $30 more than the cost of a connecting coach ticket on other airlines, Maguire said.

One way the airline keeps costs down is by saving on labor. There will be no flight attendants on the approximately hour-long flights. Self-service water and snacks are available. Amenities include all-leather seats and free Wi-Fi.

OneJet has attracted an investment from Timothy Hoeksema, former CEO and chairman of Midwest Airlines, which served Columbus before merging with Frontier Airlines in 2011.

In an interview, Hoeksema said Milwaukee and Columbus are both good business markets, and said the route was very successful for Midwest.

He said OneJet fills a need for serving business travelers with nonstop flights, since the three remaining major airlines today are primarily interested in routing flights through their hubs.

"I'm hopeful that the Columbus business community will give it a try," said Hoeksema, who retired to Florida several years ago. "Nonstop service is important."

Tickets are available at www.onejet.com.

mrose@dispatch.com

@MarlaMRose