FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Dick Fontaine
Senior VP- Marketing
(712)264-3190
(712)262-1000

GREAT LAKES AVIATION ANNOUNCES CONVERSION OF CHICAGO-MEIGS FIELD FLIGHTS TO UNITED EXPRESS STARTING JUNE 15.

Spencer, Iowa --June 1, 1998 -- Great Lakes Aviation, Ltd. (NASDAQ:GLUX) today announced that its Great Lakes Airlines flights between Springfield, IL and Meigs Field, located on the lakefront adjacent to downtown Chicago, will be converted to operate as United Express flights beginning June 15, 1998.

Great Lakes operates a total of eight round trip flights on weekdays between the two airports. In addition, five weekday United Express flights are scheduled between Springfield and Chicago-O'Hare with a reduced schedule on weekends. The addition of the eight Meigs round trips will bring Great Lakes' United Express schedule offering between Springfield and the Chicago area to thirteen weekday round trips.

Due to the unique nature of the Springfield-Meigs market, Great Lakes Aviation maintains a special toll free reservations number (800-554-5112, staffed weekdays from 6am to 6pm Central Time) for passengers traveling to and from Meigs Field. This insures that the highest level of personalized service can be provided to this group of repeat customers. In addition, information and reservations are available from United Airlines (800-241-6522) or from any travel agent.

With the addition of these new flights on June 15, Great Lakes Aviation will be providing United Express service at 68 airports in thirteen states.