MILWAUKEE — From the biggest global hubs to the smallest regional airports, the past twelve months have been extremely difficult for airports around the world.

Wisconsin airports like Milwaukee Mitchell International have been no exception.

What You Need To Know

  • Mitchell Airport saw a total of 2.6 million passengers take off or land at the airport, down 61% from 2019

  • Spirit Airlines announced they will begin offering service from Milwaukee for the first time

  • Still, it's predicted to take years for airports to return to the passenger volumes seen before the pandemic hit

In 2020, Mitchell Airport saw a total of 2.6 million passengers take off or land at the airport. It is down 61% compared to 6.8 million passengers in 2019. It is a drastic decrease that has created challenges for the airport. Most notably, it has had a large impact on revenue according to Mitchell Airport Director of Public Affairs Harold Mester.

“The airport over the last year has seen a significant reduction in parking revenue, food and beverage and retail concession, and the fees passengers pay to on their tickets use this airport," Mester said. "Needed to make a lot of reductions and find efficiencies to do things here."

Despite the challenges, the airport has seen growth. Recently, Spirit Airlines announced they will begin offering service from Milwaukee for the first time. United Airlines also announced new seasonal service to tourist-focused destinations including Savannah, GA and Portland, ME. These types of destinations make sense given the fact that leisure travel has been quicker to rebound.

“There are not as many business travelers flying these days. It is a lot more heavily leisure travel focused. Airlines have had to adjust route maps, not flying as often to your traditional business destinations but flying to more vacation destinations.” Says Mester

A similar phenomenon can be seen eighty miles to the west at Dane County Regional Airport. Airport spokesperson Michael Riechers says that leisure travel appears to be the strongest growth area in the near-term.

“We were a business heavy airport prior to the pandemic. Throughout the pandemic the recovery has been leisure-led. Our airport felt the effect a little more with business travelers continuing to do virtual business, but we are encouraged because the demand is there once the pandemic is in the rear-view mirror,” Riechers said.

Despite more people once again beginning to travel, it is expected to take airports some time to recover. Mester predicts it could take a few years for the Milwaukee airport to return to the passenger volumes seen before the pandemic hit.