EXHIBIT 99.1

                             CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
                CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
      AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

     In connection with the Quarterly Report of Great Lakes Aviation, Ltd. (the
"Company") on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2003, as filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the "Report"),
I, Charles R. Howell IV, Chief Executive Officer of the Company, certify,
pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

     1.   the Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or
          15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

     2.   the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all
          material respects, the financial condition and results of operations
          of the Company.

     A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has
been provided to the Company and will be retained by the Company and furnished
to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.

Dated: May 9, 2003                          By:  /s/ Charles R. Howell IV
                                                --------------------------------
                                                 Charles R. Howell IV
                                                 Chief Executive Officer