Mitchell International Airport prepares for busy holiday travel

Increased holiday travel

Passenger traffic is up nearly 10% from the same travel period last year.

MILWAUKEE - Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport is gearing up for the busy holiday travel season with more flights to more places this winter.

Passenger traffic is up nearly 10% from the same travel period last year and more than 250,000 people are expected to travel through the airport throughout December.

Airport Director Brian Dranzik said the airport is getting close to pre-pandemic travel numbers.

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"It's down a little bit pre-COVID, not all those flights are back," Dranzik said. "So pre-COVID, we were just under seven million. So coming back to that six million mark, we're getting right there. Last 5-10% from where we were pre-COVID levels."

For those flying during the holiday season, the airport has four helpful reminders:

Arrive early
Simplify parking with the MKE SmartPark app
Use MKE’s coat check service located at the Summerfest Marketplace store
Wait to wrap gifts

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Dranzik is also urging travelers to have patience as they go through security. Wait times are expected to be about 10–15 minutes, with occasional jumps up to 30 minutes.