Headed for the airport? Major traffic pattern changes begin Tuesday

MILWAUKEE (WITI) – Drivers and passengers at General Mitchell International Airport should be aware of major traffic pattern changes beginning Tuesday, April 29 due to the Airport’s Baggage Claim Renovation Project.The Baggage Claim roadway will be closed to all vehicles except shuttles and buses.The best option for drivers to avoid delays is to use Hourly Parking.

Crews work small fire inside Mitchell Airport Monday afternoon

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- A General Mitchell International Airport spokesman confirms with FOX6 News that crews responded to the airport on Monday afternoon for a small fire.The fire reportedly occurred in the construction area of the airport's baggage claim -- a closed portion of the baggage claim.It happened around 4:15 p.m.A Mitchell spokesman says the airport's fire department was handling the fire and investigating how it started.No one was injured -- and normal airport operations were not interrupted.

Private plane at Mitchell Airport has mechanical issue on runway

Private plane at Mitchell Airport has mechanical issue on runway

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- A spokesman with Mitchell International Airport says a private plane at the airport had a mechanical issue on the runway -- which disabled the runway for a short period of time on Sunday, April 6th.The spokesman tells FOX6 News two people were on board the plane -- and they were not injured.The airfield was closed to arriving and departing planes for about 10-15 minutes.The airfield has since reopened.

$9 million safety project planned for Mitchell International Airport

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Governor Scott Walker has announced a $9,240,135 project that includes several safety-related improvements and planning updates at General Mitchell International Airport in Milwaukee.Wendy Hottenstein, airport project manager with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT), said the project involves construction of a secured perimeter roadway system around the airfield.This will allow airport support vehicles to access all areas of the airfield without having to cross open runways and taxiways or travel on public roads.Portions of the existing six foot perimeter fencing will also be replaced with 10 foot fencing to provide additional security.Pavement rehabilitation and electrical upgrades are also part of this airfield safety improvement project.

Mitchell Airport considering expansion of its main terminal

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Visiting the stores and restaurants at General Mitchell International Airport could get easier in the future.The airport is considering an expansion of its main terminal.It would include merging its security checkpoints into one space.Right now, there are three security areas -- one for each concourse.The change would allow travelers to first go through security, and then visit businesses throughout the airport, without having to be re-screened.The county is still studying the feasibility and costs of making this change.

Miller Brewhouse opens at Mitchell International Airport

Miller Brewhouse opens at Mitchell International Airport

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Aptly suited for the original hometown of the Miller Brewing Company, now part of MillerCoors, a brand new Miller Brewhouse has opened its doors to the public in Mitchell International Airport.The Brewhouse, brought to Milwaukee travelers by HMSHost, the airport, and MillerCoors, features a unique menu designed from scratch which features high-end Wisconsin products like Usinger’s Famous Sausage, a mouth-watering meat carvery section, and of course a well-balanced beer list.

Flight experiences generator issue; able to land safely at Mitchell

Flight experiences generator issue; able to land safely at Mitchell

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- A Southwest Airlines spokesman says a plane headed to Mitchell on Wednesday afternoon, March 5th experienced a generator issue while in flight.The plane was able to land without issue at Mitchell Airport in Milwaukee.AirTran Flight 949 was traveling from Washington, D.C. to Milwaukee.The crew discovered the generator issue about 10 minutes before the flight was to land at Mitchell -- and out of an abundance of caution, declared an emergency.The plane -- a Boeing 717 landed with incident, and all 61 passengers were able to deplane normally.Due to this generator issue, AirTran Flight 951 from Milwaukee to Atlanta was cancelled Wednesday evening -- as crews were examining the plane to make sure it is safe.The passengers headed to Atlanta were put on AirTran Flight 107 from Milwaukee to Atlanta.That flight left Mitchell at 5:10 p.m.

Taxi stand moves at Mitchell Airport, causing some confusion

Taxi stand moves at Mitchell Airport, causing some confusion

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Construction at General Mitchell International Airport is prompting some changes to ground transportation, and some say that's making it harder to hail a cab.It is a path many an air traveler has taken.

Ground transportation changes coming to Mitchell Intl. Airport

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Travelers using Milwaukee's Mitchell International Airport should be aware that a number of ground transportation passenger pick-up areas are being temporarily relocated due to the Airport’s Baggage Claim renovation project.The following changes will go into effect beginning Monday, March 3rd:

Dozens of cancellations at Mitchell International Airport

Dozens of cancellations at Mitchell International Airport

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Milwaukee's Mitchell International Airport says there were about 40 flights cancelled on Monday, February 17th because of the inclement weather.Most of the cancelled flights were by Southwest Airlines -- which airport officials said tends to proactively cancel flights so people can re-book from home and not drive through the inclement weather.Just about every flight to and from Chicago's O'Hare International Airport was cancelled due to the poor conditions at both airports.Officials say crews at Mitchell did a "great job" of clearing runways -- which are two miles long and 200 feet wide.

Mitchell Airport extends free parking for passenger pickups

MILWAUKEE (WITI) – General Mitchell International Airport has announced that the free parking grace period in the hourly and surface lots will be extended from 30 minutes to one hour for the duration of the Airport’s Baggage Claim renovation project.By extending free parking to a full hour, drivers picking up passengers will have more time to park in the hourly section of the parking garage or surface lot and meet their parties in the main terminal.

Mitchell Airport Director to retire after 31 years of service

MILWAUKEE (WITI) – Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele released the following statement on Thursday, February 13th -- announcing the upcoming retirement of longtime Mitchell International Airport Director Barry Bateman.“In his 31 years as the Airport Director for Milwaukee County, Barry’s accomplishments are extraordinary and extensive.

Southwest flight from Milwaukee to Baltimore diverted to Indiana

Southwest flight from Milwaukee to Baltimore diverted to Indiana

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- FOX6 News has learned a plane that left Mitchell International Airport Tuesday, January 28th was diverted due to a mechanical problem.The Southwest Airlines Flight (4202) was headed to Baltimore with 65 customers and a crew of five.A Southwest Airlines spokesman says on the climb out of Milwaukee, there was a pressurization issue discovered by the crew.The flight crew decided to divert to South Bend, Indiana, and the flight was able to land safely.Customers deplaned and were taken safely to the terminal at South Bend.Southwest Airlines ordered a new aircraft be brought to South Bend so passengers can continue to Baltimore.An inspection of the initial aircraft is planned to correct the issue and make sure the plane is operating properly before it returns to service.