MILWAUKEE (August 15, 2024) – Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport (MKE) is continuing to grow as more Milwaukee travelers chose to fly local in the first half of 2024. In the first six months of this year, 3,158,314 travelers flew through Milwaukee’s hometown airport—a 10.91% increase compared to the same period in 2023.
After welcoming over six million passengers last year, strong growth in the first half of 2024 has the Airport well positioned to meet the projected 6.3 million mark by this year’s end.
In the six months of 2024, MKE has seen significant growth compared to 2023:
- January: 5.5% increase
- February: 16% increase
- March: 14% increase
- April: 7.7% increase
- May: 9.7% increase
- June: 12.2% increase
“Thanks to the world-class team at Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport, more and more people are choosing to fly local,” said Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley. “It’s excellent news that an increased number of travelers are experiencing Milwaukee County, contributing to our local economy, and adding to our tourism sector. I commend the entire Airport team for their work to make our hometown airport the preferred choice for Milwaukee-area travelers and visitors alike.”
“During the busy spring break and summer travel seasons, airlines added seats and flights to popular destinations, empowering travelers with more reasons to fly from MKE,” said Airport Director Brian Dranzik. “We’re very pleased with the increase we’re seeing so far this year. This additional flight activity helps create more jobs and supports our local economy.”
The airlines that serve MKE were well prepared for the increase in flyers during the first half of the year, offering approximately 60,000 additional seats on flights to spring break destinations in March 2024—an increase of 19% compared to March of 2023.
As the summer travel season nears its close, MKE heads into the fall and winter months with new flight offerings on the horizon:
- Spirit Airlines recently launched new nonstop service from Milwaukee to Dallas, operating three times per week with affordable low fares.
- Sun Country Airlines is adding nonstop flights between MKE and Punta Cana, Dominican Republic beginning December 26.
- Sun Country is adding flights from Milwaukee to Montego Bay, Jamaica, starting January 25.
- Sun Country is expanding its seasonal service to Cancun with daily nonstop flights during the upcoming winter and spring break travel period.
Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport offers nonstop flights to 30+ destinations coast-to-coast, and more than 200 international destinations are available with one easy connection. MKE is served by Alaska, American, Delta, Frontier, JetBlue, Southwest, Spirit, Sun Country, and United. The complete list of nonstop cities can be found at flymke.com.
MKE, the winner of 2021 and 2022 ASQ Best Airport – North America awards for outstanding customer experience, is owned by Milwaukee County and operated by the Department of Transportation, Airport Division, under the policy direction of the Milwaukee County Executive and the County Board of Supervisors. The Airport is entirely funded by user fees; no property tax dollars are used for the Airport’s capital improvements or for its day-to-day operation.
