Midwest Airlines, which resumed its nonstop service between Raleigh-Durham International Airport and Milwaukee this month, will soon see its name disappear.

The carrier's parent, Republic Airways, announced today that it plans to phase out the Midwest brand in favor of Frontier Airlines, another subsidiary. Denver-based Frontier is known for "spokesanimals" painted on the tails of its planes.

Republic CEO Bryan Bedford told the Associated Press that travelers associated the Frontier name with low fares, while Midwest was seen as more of a high-price airline. The Midwest brand will be dropped by Oct. 2011.

"Maintaining two brands is just not cost-effective for us," he said.

Republic bought Midwest in July and Frontier in October. The company announced in January that it would pick between the two names.

Midwest, which will continue to provide free chocolate-chip cookies under its new name, restarted its service at RDU on April 1. It had stopped the service for a second time in September 2008 as the economy tanked.

As part of the name change, Republic will add a new animal logo to its fleet: A badger to honor Wisconsin's state animal. No word on whether the company will add North Carolina's gray squirrel.

Midwest Airlines resumed its nonstop service between Raleigh-Durham International Airport and Milwaukee this morning.

The Milwaukee-based company is offering $79 one-way fares from RDU for tickets purchased by April 15, for travel through June 9. Tickets must be purchased at least 14 days in advance.

The carrier stopped service at RDU in September 2008 as the economy slumped and fuel prices surged. Then last November, Midwest announced it would resume two daily nonstop flights between RDU and Milwaukee today.

It's been about three years since RDU broke out the water cannons.

Tomorrow morning, officials at Raleigh-Durham International Airport will hold a ceremony to mark the return of Midwest Airlines. That will include a water cannon salute on the runway as the first Midwest flight arrives from Milwaukee shortly after 10 a.m.

Given the recession, and more carriers cutting flights than adding them during the past few years, the last water cannon salute for a plane at RDU was probably in 2007, said RDU spokeswoman Mindy Hamlin. In fact, it was likely for Midwest, which restarted service to RDU that year after stopping it following the 2001 terrorist attacks.

"Typically, it's saved for when a new airline starts service or there's a major new destination added," Hamlin said.

Midwest Airlines is returning to Raleigh-Durham International Airport, again.

Starting April 1, Midwest Airlines will resume two daily nonstop flights between RDU and Milwaukee. The carrier cut the service in September 2008 as the economy slumped and fuel prices surged.

The Milwaukee-based carrier, which was bought by Republic Airways Holdings this year, also stopped service at RDU after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, then restarted it in 2007. Republic also announced plans today to expand in Milwaukee and add 800 jobs.

About 50,000 people a year travel between RDU and Milwaukee, making it a popular destination without nonstop service, said RDU spokeswoman Mindy Hamlin.

RDU officials are continuing efforts to attract other nonstop flights, especially to the West Coast, she added.