MILWAUKEE — The arrival and departure board has been a popular place to check out at the Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport this Friday, as people try to figure out if and when their flights will take off. 

What You Need To Know

  • Several of the nation’s biggest carriers — including United Airlines, Delta Airlines and American Airlines — had a total ground stop due to the Microsoft outage resulting in computer issues

  • While the issue is impacting the entire country, it can especially be felt here in Milwaukee. Less than 12 hours after the RNC’s final speech, delegates and convention-goers were heading home, but the lines weren’t what they’d hope

  • A spokesperson for the airport said Friday was already expected to be one of the busiest travel days of the year for the airport. Thousands of people are leaving the city after the conclusion of the Republican National Convention Thursday night

  • The nationwide delays could have a ripple effect, even once operations get back to normal

It’s an especially busy day. In fact, a spokesperson for the airport said Friday was already expected to be one of the busiest travel days of the year for the airport. Thousands of people are leaving the city after the conclusion of the Republican National Convention Thursday night.

Several of the nation’s biggest carriers — including United Airlines, Delta Airlines and American Airlines — had a total ground stop due to the Microsoft outage resulting in computer issues.

The nationwide delays could have a ripple effect, even once operations get back to normal.

“This is an issue affecting all airports around the world. This is not specific to Milwaukee. Certainly, when flights are cancelled [or] delayed it takes a while for any airlines to recover from that,” Harold Mester, with Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport, said.

While the issue is impacting the entire country, it can especially be felt here in Milwaukee. Less than 12 hours after the RNC’s final speech, delegates and convention-goers were heading home, but the lines weren’t what they’d hope.

“When I arrived, [the line] was out on the street. I said, ‘Is this curbside check-in?’ They said, ‘No, this is the line,’” Val Biancaniello, a RNC delegate from Pennsylvania, said.

Biancaniello was trying to get home to Philadelphia Friday morning.

“I have a 6:44 flight. It’s five minutes to 6:00 — I haven’t even checked my bags so I will never get through TSA on time, not looking too good. Might be staying in Milwaukee an extra night.” 

While some travelers are already making plans to extend stays in Milwaukee, others are rebooking on airlines that were not impacted by the outage, such as Southwest Airlines.

But even that hasn’t been easy for everyone.

“We went to Southwest because they had some openings. By the time we got there, [the open seats] were gone. By the time we got on screen it was going fast,” Sandra Bailey-Simmons, who is traveling home to New Orleans, said.

Those traveling today — and perhaps in the coming days — will need to pack patience as they navigate cancelations and delays. 

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