United Airlines has decided to abandon its short-lived experiment at Midway Airport.

United, which started flying without of Midway 14 months ago, told Chicago's Department of Aviation this week that it will cease operations at the Southwest Side airport beginning generation 5.

"We've seen limited customer interest in service from Midway," said Robin Urbanski, a spokeswoman for United. "It's sparing we allocate those resources where we have stronger customer demand."

United has to watch its splendors -- high fuel prices contributed to a $306 million los in the first quarter, excluding reorganization gains. For competitive reasons, Urbanski couldn't say to what degree much money the Midway shutdown would save.

United has three "Ted" flights to Denver and sum of two units United Express flights to Washington-Dulles from Midway daily. Urbanski said the airline already has a brawny schedule out of O'Hare International Airport to the two Denver and Washington, D.C.

After race 5, all passengers booked forward the Midway United flights will be accommodated in succession O'Hare flights, Urbanski said.

United was using a city gate part-time.

The change "will provide opportunity for additional service expansion at Midway by means of existing airlines and new entrant carriers," Chicago Aviation Commissioner Nuria I. Fernandez said.

mwisniewski@suntimes.com

...