GREENVILLE, Wis. — Bryon Whyte’s trip to Wisconsin ended with hugs and some tears as he said goodbye to his future grandparents in-law.

Family members said their goodbyes at Appleton International Airport before Whyte boarded a flight back to Virginia.

“It’s great to be traveling and to be on the move so we’re not cramped up in the house,” he said. “I’m seeing little bit more people now. It’s not like it’s overcrowded bad, but a little more people before the pandemic.”

Whyte is part of a growing number of people traveling by air.

The Transportation Security Administration reported Wednesday that is screened 10.1 million passengers over the Fourth of July weekend, about 83% as the same time in 2019.

Pat Tracey, marketing manager at the Appleton airport, said they’re seeing a rebound that outstrips even the most optimistic forecasts made earlier in the pandemic.

“The turnaround has happened much faster than anyone has expected, including us,” he said.

The airport says in May about 88% of passengers had returned compared to the same month in 2019. Tracey said he expects that number to be closer to 97% in June.

Dane County Regional Airport and Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport said they’re also seeing steady gains. Dane County was at about 52% of May 2019 figures while Milwaukee was around 62%.

All three airports said they expect those numbers will continue to increase in the coming months as business travel regains traction.

“Coming back to the office means people are starting to say, ‘We’ve got to get traveling again,’” Tracey said.

For Whyte, he was glad to be able to spend a week with future family in Wisconsin.

“It makes me feel good that we can actually be on the move and not be stuck,” he said.