MOSINEE, Wis. — One of the big physical changes at Central Wisconsin Airport in the past year is a project that did away with the intersection of its two runways.


What You Need To Know

  • American Airlines has added an additional daily flight between Central Wisconsin Airport and Chicago

  • In the first three months of 2024, passenger numbers are up in Mosinee from last year 

  • Airports around the state are seeking additional service opportunities

But it’s seeing other changes.

Avelo Airlines started flying to Orlando from Mosinee in the fall and American Airlines announced in February it is adding a third daily flight to Chicago O’Hare Airport.

That’s all happening as passenger traffic is picking up in central Wisconsin and across the nation.

Leisure travel has been leading the charge in the wake of the pandemic.

“Business is coming back too,” said Airport Director Brian Grefe. “That’s really what’s driving the growth on American. Most notably, they’ve been adding flights. But also, Delta is doing very well and has that business support. We could actually add more flights, and because of the businesses here in central Wisconsin, we could fill them up pretty easily.”

The added service comes as airports of all sizes and airlines work to meet passenger demand.

“They could double the amount of seats and we could more or less fill them every day,” Grefe said. “But because of the plane and pilot shortage, the airlines just don’t have that ability even though they see it’s a good investment here in central Wisconsin.”

(Spectrum News 1/Nathan Phelps)

Airports nationwide are coming off a busy spring break period. The Transportation Security Administration reports so far this year travel volumes nationwide are up 6% compared to the same time last year.

That includes people like Nancy Lucht of Antigo who was flying out of Appleton International Airport on a recent Monday morning.

“We’re headed to Myrtle Beach, my sister and I,” she said. “This is our second annual trip to Myrtle Beach, so we’re all excited about going.”

Their flight was one of eight leaving Appleton in the morning. Lucht said there are a number of advantages of flying from a smaller airport.

“You don’t have to run and go on escalators to try and connect your flights,” she said. “It’s just really nice.”

(Spectrum News 1/Nathan Phelps)

For Grefe and other airport directors around the state, the search for additional service is an ongoing job.

“It’s that constant touch with phone calls or emails to just stay in contact with the airlines to talk about what opportunities there are,” he said. “They’ve got great data, but there’s data on this side that they don’t see. It’s really important to compare notes on what they’re seeing and what we’re seeing and talk about what maybe makes sense for both the airlines and the airport.”