First responders simulate plane crash at Mitchell Airport: "Train for real life and hope it never happens"
MILWAUKEE -- The training is critical, and required by the Federal Aviation Administration.
"It's very dire out west:" Red Cross volunteer departs for Idaho to help wildfire victims
MILWAUKEE -- A Red Cross volunteer from southeast Wisconsin is heading west -- as wildfires spread in the Northwest.
One hurt when fire truck overturns on runway at Mitchell Intl. Airport
MILWAUKEE -- Operations at Mitchell International Airport in Milwaukee County have returned to normal following a truck crash.Authorities say one person was injured when a truck belonging to the airport's fire department overturned during a training exercise at the airfield Friday morning, August 28thThe accident temporarily interrupted air traffic while emergency crews responded to the accident.
United Express plane makes emergency landing at Mitchell International Airport
MILWAUKEE -- A General Mitchell International Airport official says all passengers are safe after a United Express plane made an emergency landing due to a mechanical problem.Airport spokeswoman Pat Rowe says the United Express flight, operated by United Airlines, departed from Mitchell about 6:00 a.m. Tuesday, July 28th -- when the pilots reported mechanical issues and returned to the airport.A photo of the plane from Mitchell International Airport shows a panel missing on top of one of the engines.
New at Mitchell Intl. Airport: Frontier Airlines to launch non-stop service to Las Vegas
MILWAUKEE -- Frontier Airlines will launch new non-stop service from Mitchell International Airport to Las Vegas McCarren International Airport beginning October 25th.The new flights, which will operate seven days per week, will depart Milwaukee at 6:40 p.m. and arrive in Las Vegas at 8:40 p.m. The return flights will leave Las Vegas at 1:30 p.m. and arrive in Milwaukee at 6:55 p.m. The new route is now available for booking online at flyfrontier.com.Frontier already offers daily nonstops from Milwaukee to Denver, Colorado and seasonal service to Cancun, Mexico.
Pictures: Newest addition to Airbus passenger fleet lands at Mitchell International Airport
MILWAUKEE -- There is a passenger jet parked at Mitchell International Airport you do not often get to see in person.
Public Art Committee dedicates "Slalom," new kinetic sculpture on display at airport's baggage claim
MILWAUKEE -- Members of the Milwaukee County Public Art Committee have dedicated a new public art display being installed as part of General Mitchell International Airport’s Baggage Claim Renovation Project.Tim Prentice, the Kinetic Sculptor selected by the Public Art Committee, has completed similar projects around the world and installed his “Slalom” display at Mitchell Airport this week.“This is a unique opportunity to play with light and achieve an ever-changing sequence of varied and unpredictable effects,” Prentice said. “Movement and changing light will draw the viewer’s attention to the work on display in this beautiful building.”
Alaska Airlines begins daily nonstop service between Mitchell Airport, Seattle-Tacoma Airport
MILWAUKEE -- Alaska Airlines kicked off its new daily nonstop service between Milwaukee County’s General Mitchell International Airport and Seattle-Tacoma International Airport on Wednesday afternoon, July 1st.“Alaska Airlines has developed a great reputation among travelers and will be well-received in Milwaukee.
$45 million renovation project: Five baggage claim carousels now open at Mitchell International Airport
MILWAUKEE -- Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele was joined by County Supervisors Michael Mayo, Sr., Patricia Jursik, Jason Haas, Steve Taylor and Martin Weddle on Tuesday, June 30th to unveil the final phase of General Mitchell International Airport’s Baggage Claim Renovation Project.All five carousels are now open to the public, marking the end of major construction work on the Baggage Claim building.
KC-135 aircraft from 128th Air Refueling Wing lands safely at Mitchell Airport after in-flight emergency
MILWAUKEE -- A plane from the 128th Air Refueling Wing landed without incident at General Mitchell International Airport Wednesday, June 17th after experiencing an "in-flight emergency."Major John Capra with the 128th Air Refueling Wing tells FOX6 News the KC-135 aircraft was out on a routine mission on Wednesday morning, and was returning from delivering troops to the United Kingdom.About an hour and 30 minutes from Mitchell Airport, as the plane was headed into Milwaukee, the aircraft's crew noticed a warning on a gauge on the aircraft's dashboard -- related to one of the four jet engines.An in-flight emergency was declared.As a precaution, one of the four engines that powers the aircraft was shut down in an effort to not damage the engine in question while in flight.The crew brought the aircraft into Milwaukee under the power of three engines.
Summer travel just got easier: Mitchell International adds new airlines, destinations
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Airports are gearing up for summer vacations.
Committee approves ordinance change to lift cap on taxicab permits at Mitchell International Airport
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Milwaukee County’s Committee on Transportation, Public Works and Transit on Wednesday, May 6th approved an ordinance change to lift the cap on the number of taxicab permits issued at General Mitchell International Airport.Only 50 permits currently exist at the airport.
OneJet now offering nonstop service from Mitchell International Airport to Pittsburgh
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Travelers will be able to choose from a number of new airlines and routes being launched this year from General Mitchell International Airport (MKE).
Former Shell employee ordered to pay $19.4M for fuel leak at Mitchell International Airport
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- 44-year-old Randy Jones of Houma, Louisiana, a former corrosion coordinator for Shell Pipeline Company was sentenced in federal court Thursday, April 30th to five years of probation and ordered to pay $19,377,785 in restitution.Previously, Jones pleaded guilty to knowingly failing to conduct required safety test between January and December 2011 and submitting the false data to the Pipeline and Hazardous Material Safety Administration (PHMSA).Jones’ violations were connected to a pipeline owned by Shell that delivered commercial aviation jet fuel to General Mitchell International Airport in Milwaukee.In January 2012, a hole was discovered in the pipeline at Mitchell Airport after jet fuel began showing up in the soil surrounding the airport and Wilson Creek.
"There was something unusual going on:" Milwaukee bound flight forced to land in Denver
DENVER (WITI) — Some concerning moments for passengers on board a flight headed to Milwaukee when their plane had to make an emergency landing in Denver on Friday night, April 24th.Officials say the Southwest Airlines flight #100 was traveling from Las Vegas to Milwaukee and was diverted to Denver after reporting "pressurization issues."Marilyn Biddle and other passengers on board were taken on quite the ride during their trip."He brought the plane down at a quick rate from about 35,000 feet down to 14,000 feet in just a couple minutes," said Biddle."I think everybody figured out there was something unusual going on," said Owen May, passenger.With 175 passengers and 6 crew members on board, some felt the affects immediately."About an hour out of Las Vegas my ears popped to the point they don't usually pop like real ice picks in my ears.
“There is a demand:" Resolution asks that Milwaukee County lift cap on number of taxicabs at airport
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Milwaukee County could lift its cap on the number of taxicabs at General Mitchell International Airport.A proposal to lift the cap was brought up at the Transportation, Public Works and Transit Committee Wednesday, April 8th.The measure was tabled, and is expected to be discussed at the full Milwaukee County Board meeting later this month.It is Milwaukee County Supervisor John Weishan's resolution, and he says it's passage would be “good for the free market.”“It is ridiculous that we are stifling the free market by limiting the number of taxicab licenses to the airport,” said Weishan. “This measure will not only encourage free enterprise, it will give travelers a better chance to catch a cab from the airport in a timely fashion.”Weishan’s resolution says that the city of Milwaukee revised its taxicab licensing and permit regulations in response to a lawsuit filed by several taxicab operators and by the activities of Transportation Network Companies (TNCs) such as Uber and Lyft – otherwise known as ride-sharing services.
Southwest Airlines to offer daily, nonstop flights from Mitchell Airport to Dallas, Texas
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Southwest Airlines will begin offering nonstop flights from Milwaukee's General Mitchell International Airport to Dallas (Love Field) beginning Wednesday, April 8th.The new flights are part of an overall growth plan of Southwest’s Love Field operations which will see more than 180 daily departures by the end of the year.Southwest is the only airline in the United States where your bags fly free (first two checked bags, size and weight limits apply), and where you won’t pay a change fee to change your flights.Southwest Airlines took off on June 18, 1971.
Fallen Marine, Staff Sgt. Kerry Kemp, returns home to Port Washington
PORT WASHINGTON (WITI) -- A fallen Marine returns to Port Washington for burial.
Mitchell Intl. Airport "the first in the nation" to offer lactation suites for traveling moms
MILWAUKEE (WITI) – Mitchell International Airport now offers three lactation suites for nursing moms who choose Milwaukee for their travel needs.“MKE is proud to be the first airport in the nation to purchase Mamava Lactation Suites,” County Executive Chris Abele said. “The suites offer traveling moms the option of a clean, private and pleasant space to pump/nurse before boarding a flight to any of Mitchell Airport’s 38 nonstop destinations.”The Mamava Lactation Suites are freestanding pods that include two bench seats, a power outlet and fold down table for use with a breast pump, soft lighting, a mirror and space for luggage and/or a stroller.“Restrooms aren’t always the best solution for nursing moms, and we’re excited to make flying a little more peaceful for traveling moms who choose Mitchell,” Airport Director Terry Slaybaugh said.“Bravo, General Mitchell International Airport!” Metroparent Magazine editor Liz Paulsen wrote in an early review of the suites. “The pod is more spacious than I had imagined, and there is enough room for luggage or a stroller.
OneJet Service between Milwaukee and Indianapolis begins April 6th
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- OneJet announced on Wednesday, March 18th new nonstop service between Milwaukee and Indianapolis.Flights will be offered Monday through Thursday, featuring one hour gate-to-gate service, TSA precheck access for eligible customers, expedited boarding, and complimentary on board amenities.Service to Indianapolis begins on April 6th, with tickets now on sale via select corporate and online retailers, including American Express Global Business Travel and Expedia.