Document:

<PAGE>

                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.77

                         RETURN COMPENSATION AGREEMENT

                         dated as of December 6, 1999

                                 in respect of

                      AIRCRAFT OPERATING LEASE AGREEMENTS
                    NO. 524, NO. 525, NO. 135 and NO. 136

                                    between

                 FIRST SECURITY BANK, N.A., formerly known as
                      FIRST SECURITY BANK OF UTAH, N.A.,
                        not in its individual capacity
                        but solely as owner trustee, as

                                    Lessor

                                      and

                        MIDWAY AIRLINES CORPORATION, as

                                    Lessee

                                      and

                           DEBIS AIRFINANCE B.V., as

                               Beneficial Owner.

Aircraft:      Fokker 100 (F28 Mk 0100)
Serial Nos.    11321, 11323, 11329 and 11330
<PAGE>

Return Compensation Agreement (this "Agreement"), dated as of December 6, 1999,
by and between:

(1)  debis AirFinance B.V., a company incorporated under the laws of The
     Netherlands, having its principal place of business at Evert van de
     Beekstraat 22, 1118 CL Schiphol Airport, The Netherlands ("debis AF");

(2)  Midway Airlines Corporation, a company incorporated under the laws of the
     State of Delaware, having its principal place of business at 2801 Slater
     Road, Suite 200, Morrisville, North Carolina  27560 ("Midway" or "Lessee");
     and

(3)  First Security Bank, N.A., formerly known as First Security Bank of Utah,
     N.A., a national banking association existing pursuant to the laws of the
     United States, having its principal place of business at 79 South Main
     Street, Salt Lake City, Utah 84130-0007, not in its individual capacity
     (except as expressly set forth in the Leases) but solely as Owner Trustee
     under the Trust Agreement ("Trustee" or "Lessor").

WHEREAS, debis AF is the beneficial owner of each of the four (4) aircraft
identified in Exhibit A attached hereto (each, a "300-Series Aircraft" and
collectively, the "300-Series Aircraft"), by virtue of its ownership of all the
outstanding and issued shares of the special purpose companies which are the
owners of the Aircraft identified by Serial Numbers 11321, 11323, 11329 and
11330; and

WHEREAS, the Trustee and Midway are parties to those certain Aircraft Operating
Lease Agreements No. 524, No. 525, No. 135 and No. 136, each covering one of the
Aircraft (as amended from time to time, each, a "Lease" and collectively, the
"Leases");

WHEREAS, on behalf of debis AF, the Trustee has commenced an action against
Midway entitled First Security Bank, N.A. v. Midway Airlines, Inc. 99 CIV.3248
(SAS)(RLE) now pending in the United States District Court for the Southern
District of New York (the "Action") which claims, inter alia, that Midway owes
the Lessor certain moneys in connection with the return of the 300-Series
Aircraft; and

WHEREAS, Midway has asserted a claim against the Lessor and debis AF with
respect to certain excess Maintenance Funds to which it claims to be entitled;
and

WHEREAS, Midway, debis AF and the Trustee desire to settle the Action on the
terms and conditions set forth herein:

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises herein contained, the
parties hereto agree as follows:

1.  Definitions

          Terms which are capitalized but not defined herein shall have the
          meaning ascribed to such terms in the Leases.

2.  Payment for Settlement of the Action and other Claims

          In full settlement of all claims of whatever nature which Lessor
          and/or debis AF may have against Midway and Midway may have against
          Lessor and/or debis AF arising out of the Leases, Lessor and/or debis
          AF agrees to pay to Midway the sum of *** ************ ******* ******
          ******* *** ******* ***** ******* ******** ******** ***** ******* ***
          ************ ******* *** ****** ****** which shall be on March 1, 2000
          by the reduction in such amount of the outstanding principal balance
          under that certain Promissory Note originally dated as of January 31,
          1997 and amended and restated as of March 30, 1998 payable by Midway
          to debis AF.  Except for the reduction in principal amount set forth

* redacted

                                       2
<PAGE>

          herein, all other terms of the Promissory Note shall remain unchanged.

3.  Release of Claims

          The Lessor's and debis AF's payment hereunder, and the other promises,
          payments and agreements set forth herein shall be in full and final
          settlement of, and the release and discharge of, (i) all of Lessor's
          and/or debis AF's claims with respect to the payment of any amounts
          due under any of the Leases whether now existing or hereafter arising;
          (ii) all other claims, however described, asserted in the Action; and
          (iii) all claims of Midway under any of the Leases, in each case
          whether now existing or hereafter arising.

4.  Dismissal of Litigation

          The parties hereto agree to instruct their respective attorneys to
          enter into and file in the United States District Court for the
          Southern District of New York an appropriate stipulation providing for
          the dismissal with prejudice of the Action.

5.  Governing Law

          This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with
          the internal laws of the State of New York and without regard to any
          conflict of law rules. This Agreement is being delivered in the State
          of New York.

6.  Entire Agreement

          This Agreement is the sole and entire agreement between the parties
          hereto with respect to the Leases and the Aircraft, and supersedes all
          previous agreements in relation to such Leases and Aircraft.  The
          terms and conditions of this Agreement shall not be varied otherwise
          than by an instrument in writing executed by or on behalf of the
          parties hereto.

                                       3
<PAGE>

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed
by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized as of the day and year
first above written.

SIGNED on behalf of

FIRST SECURITY BANK, N.A. (formerly known as First Security Bank of Utah; N.A.),
not in its individual capacity but solely as owner trustee

By:   /s/ Greg A. Hawley
Name:     Greg A. Hawley
Title:    Vice President

SIGNED on behalf of

MIDWAY AIRLINES CORPORATION

By:   /s/ Jonathan S. Waller
Name:     Jonathan S. Waller
Title:    Senior Vice President
          General Counsel

SIGNED on behalf of

debis AirFinance B.V.

By:   /s/ Frank Haspel
Name:     Frank Haspel
Title:    Managing Director (CEO)

By:   /s/ John McMahon
Name:     John McMahon
Title:    Senior Vice President - Commercial

                                       4
<PAGE>

                                   Exhibit A

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Aircraft                  Aircraft                 Beneficial Owner
     Manufacturer's            Operation Lease
     Serial Number            Agreement Number
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

        11321                      525                    Stockholm Aircraft
                                                            Finance II B.V.

        11323                      524                    Stockholm Aircraft
                                                            Finance III B.V.

        11329                      135                    Stockholm Aircraft
                                                            Finance V B.V.

        11330                      136                    Stockholm Aircraft
                                                            Finance V B.V.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                       5<PAGE>

                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.78

                               OPTION AGREEMENT

                         dated as of December 6, 1999

                                 in respect of

                      AIRCRAFT OPERATING LEASE AGREEMENTS
                     NO. 111, NO. 112, NO. 113 and NO. 114

                      each dated as of November 11, 1993

                                    between

                 FIRST SECURITY BANK, N.A., formerly known as
                      FIRST SECURITY BANK OF UTAH, N.A.,
                        not in its individual capacity
                        but solely as owner trustee, as

                                    Lessor

                                      and

                        MIDWAY AIRLINES CORPORATION, as

                                    Lessee

                                      and

                           DEBIS AIRFINANCE B.V., as

                               Beneficial Owner.

Aircraft:           Fokker 100 (F28 Mk 0100)
Serial Nos./RN:     11444/N103ML
(respectively)      11445/N104ML
                    11475/N105ML
                    11477/N106ML
<PAGE>

Option Agreement (this "Agreement"), dated as of  December 6, 1999, by and
between:

(1)  debis AirFinance B.V., a company incorporated under the laws of The
     Netherlands, having its principal place of business at Evert van de
     Beekstraat 22, 1118 CL Schiphol Airport, The Netherlands ("debis AF");

(2)  Midway Airlines Corporation, a company incorporated under the laws of the
     State of Delaware, having its principal place of business at 2801 Slater
     Road, Suite 200, Morrisville, North Carolina  27560 ("Midway" or "Lessee");
     and

(3)  First Security Bank, N.A., formerly known as First Security Bank of Utah,
     N.A., a national banking association existing pursuant to the laws of the
     United States, having its principal place of business at 79 South Main
     Street, Salt Lake City, Utah 84130-0007, not in its individual capacity
     (except as expressly set forth in the Leases) but solely as Owner Trustee
     under the Trust Agreement ("Trustee" or "Lessor").

WHEREAS, debis AF is the beneficial owner of each of the four (4) aircraft
identified in Exhibit A attached hereto (each, an "Aircraft" and collectively,
the "Aircraft"), by virtue of its ownership of all the outstanding and issued
shares of the special purpose companies which are the owners of the Aircraft
identified by Serial Numbers 11445 and 11475 and otherwise by virtue of its
direct beneficial ownership of the Aircraft identified by Serial Numbers 11444
and 11477; and

WHEREAS, the Trustee and Midway are parties to those certain Aircraft Operating
Lease Agreements No. 111, No. 112, No. 113 and No. 114, each covering one of the
Aircraft and each dated as of November 11, 1993 (as amended from time to time,
each, a "Lease" and collectively, the "Leases"); and

WHEREAS, Midway wishes to purchase an option to terminate the Leases prior to
the current termination dates as provided in Exhibit B hereto;

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises herein contained, the
parties hereto agree as follows:

1.   Definitions

          Terms which are capitalized but not defined herein shall have the
          meaning ascribed to such terms in the Leases.

2.  Payment for Option

          In consideration of  the irrevocable payment by Midway of the sum of
          *** ******* ******* *************** receipt of which is hereby
          acknowledged, and other good and valuable consideration, the Lessor
          and debis AF hereby grant to Midway an irrevocable option to terminate
          the Leases pursuant to the terms of the Lease Termination and
          Compensation Agreement annexed hereto as Exhibit C (the "Termination
          Agreement").

3.  Exercise of Option

          Midway may exercise this option at any time prior to March 1, 2000 by
          signing and returning the Termination Agreement so that it is received
          by debis AF no later than

* redacted

                                       2
<PAGE>

          March 1, 2000. Upon such execution and receipt, debis AF and Lessor
          shall execute and return the same to Midway and the Termination
          Agreement shall become a binding agreement between the parties
          thereto.

4.  Termination of Option

          In the event that the option is not exercised as provided in Section 3
          above, this Agreement shall become void and of no effect at midnight,
          Eastern Standard Time (New York City) on March 1, 2000.  In such
          event, Lessor and/or debis AF may retain the Payment and shall have no
          further obligations to Midway with respect to this Agreement or the
          Payment.

5.  Governing Law

          This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with
          the internal laws of the State of New York and without regard to any
          conflict of law rules. This Agreement is being delivered in the State
          of New York.

6.  Entire Agreement

          This Agreement is the sole and entire agreement between the parties
          hereto with respect to subject mater, supersedes all previous
          agreements and shall not be varied otherwise than by an instrument in
          writing executed by or on behalf of the parties hereto.

                                       3
<PAGE>

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed
by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized as of the day and year
first above written.

SIGNED on behalf of

FIRST SECURITY BANK, N.A. (formerly known as First Security Bank of Utah; N.A.),
not in its individual capacity but solely as owner trustee

By:   /s/ Greg A. Hawley
Name:     Greg A. Hawley
Title:    Vice President

SIGNED on behalf of

MIDWAY AIRLINES CORPORATION

By:   /s/ Jonathan S. Waller
Name:     Jonathan S. Waller
Title:    Senior Vice President
          General Counsel

SIGNED on behalf of

debis AirFinance B.V.

By:   /s/ Frank Haspel
Name:     Frank Haspel
Title:    Managing Director (CEO)

By:   /s/ John McMahon
Name:     John McMahon
Title:    Senior Vice President - Commercial

                                       4
<PAGE>

Draft - 12/1/99

                                   Exhibit A

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       Aircraft                 Aircraft                  Beneficial Owner
    Manufacturer's           Operation Lease
    Serial Number           Agreement Number
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

       11444                      111                  debis AirFinance B.V.

       11445                      112                    American Aircraft
                                                          Finance I B.V.

       11475                      113                    American Aircraft
                                                          Finance II B.V.

       11477                      114                  debis AirFinance B.V.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                       5
<PAGE>

                                   Exhibit B

Revised Expiry Dates

February 1, 2001

March 1, 2001

May 1, 2001

June 1, 2001

                                       6

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