Wisconsin Airports Have Been Busy In 2019

This year has been a busy one for Wisconsin’s largest airports.

Dane County Regional Airport has seen monthly passenger traffic increase by as much as 13 percent in some months, according to data from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics.

Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport expects to see over 7 million arriving and departing passengers for the second year in a row.

That would be just under last year’s figure but ahead of the five-year average for the airport.

Airlines have also added additional routes at both airports this year.

Convincing airlines to add new flights or use larger planes for existing routes is a process that often takes years, said Henry Harteveldt, president of Atmosphere Research Group, which analyzes the transportation industry.

“With airplanes that can cost upwards of $75 million, I think everyone can appreciate this decision-making has to be very thorough, and they weigh each route against others,” he said.

Harteveldt said U.S. airports have seen passenger numbers grow by between 2 and 3 percent this year, part of an increase over the last decade that’s rooted in economic growth and more discounted fares for passengers.

As a result, he said, airlines are making money.

“Financially, stronger airlines mean that they can invest in new aircraft, maintain their planes, pay their people and, frankly, afford to offer the discount fares that many of us crave,” he said.

But even with the recent expansion, it’s possible the state could see a decline in overall flights, because some national carriers are planning to cut back flights in 2020.

That’s something officials at Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport don’t expect to happen in 2020.

Spokesman Harold Mester said the city is set to see an “unprecedented number of visitors” in the coming year.

“We have the Democratic National Convention as well as the USA Triathlon national championships coming here and the Ryder Cup in September,” he said. “That’s why we’re rolling out these new brands and also why some airlines are adding service, to pick up that extra traffic.”

Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport has begun an overhaul of the shops and restaurants in the terminal. It plans to finish the upgrades in June.