Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport
Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport Mitchell Field | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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AMSL 728 ft / 222 m | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Coordinates | 42°56′49″N 087°53′49″W / 42.94694°N 87.89694°W | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Website | www.MitchellAirport.com | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport (IATA: MKE, ICAO: KMKE, FAA LID: MKE) is a civil–military airport 5 nautical miles (9.3 km; 5.8 mi) south of downtown Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States.[2] It is included in the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems for 2023–2027, in which it is categorized as a medium-hub primary commercial service facility.[3] Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport covers 2,180 acres (880 ha) and has five asphalt and concrete runways.[4]
The airport is named in honor of United States Army General Billy Mitchell, who was raised in Milwaukee and is often regarded as the father of the United States Air Force.[5][6] Along with being the primary airport for Milwaukee, Mitchell International is also used by travelers throughout Southern and Eastern Wisconsin and Northern Illinois.[7] Since March 1941, the airport's weather station has been used as the official point for Milwaukee weather observations and records by the National Weather Service, whose area office is located in Sullivan.[8]
History
The original airfield was established in 1920 as Hamilton Airport by local business owner and aviator,
During the late depression years (1938–July 1940), a new two-story passenger terminal building was constructed by the
The present terminal opened on July 20, 1955, and was designed by Leigh Fisher and Associates.[11] It was renovated and expanded in 1985, designed by Miller, Meier, Kenyon, Cooper Architects and Planners Inc.[12] The "hammerhead" section of the D concourse was added in 1990.
On June 19, 1986, the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors renamed the airport General Mitchell International Airport.[9] The airport was formerly a hub for AirTran Airways, Frontier Airlines, Midwest Airlines and North Central Airlines. The airport is owned and operated by Milwaukee County, but some Milwaukee business leaders and politicians have advocated privatization or leasing it to a third party for financial reasons.[13]
In February 2019, the airport was renamed from "General Mitchell International Airport" to "Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport," a rebranding meant to highlight the airport's location;[14][15][16][17] the old name is still used by the FAA and US government.
In March 2023, the airport was recognized by the Airports Council International as one of the best airports in the world, marking the second consecutive year the airport received this recognition. It was one of only 10 airports of any size in the U.S. to earn a 2022 ASQ "Best Airport" award.[18]
Expansion
Mitchell International expanded the runway safety area at the end of the runways after an accident on January 21, 2007, when Northwest Airlines Flight 1726 skidded off the runway following an aborted
There was also a "Master Plan" idea to increase the terminal area by stretching the existing terminal (in some cases, to almost double the size) or begin construction of a separate terminal. Nearly all cases would involve major reconstruction on the airport itself, and would have a huge impact on the airport's traffic.[19] These plans were, however, drafted before Mitchell saw a significant reduction in carriers and flights. More recently, in 2012, there were discussions of closing one concourse as a cost-cutting move.[20]
The approved 2018 Milwaukee County Budget contained initial funding for replacement of the now-closed Concourse E with a new International Terminal. It would replace the current International Arrivals Terminal (IAT) which has limited capacity and is not connected to the main terminal building.[21] The new terminal was planned to open in 2020 after the demolition of Concourse E was completed.[22] During October 2018, airport and Milwaukee County officials set a timeline for design, construction and completion of the new International terminal. Pre-design work and bidding concluded in November 2018, with construction set to begin in early 2021 and likely concluding in mid-2022.[23] In May 2020, Milwaukee County announced with the COVID-19 pandemic severely reducing the airport's operations and de facto ending international service temporarily, that the start of the project had been postponed.[24] As of April 2023[update], no firm start date for the work has been determined, though airport officials are hopeful that work will begin in 2024.[25]
Facilities
Terminal
Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport has one terminal with two concourses and 38 gates.[26] All international arrivals lacking border pre-clearance must pass through the International Arrivals Building. Concourse C houses Southwest Airlines and United Airlines; and Concourse D houses the remaining airlines at the airport. There is also a Delta Sky Club in Concourse D.
The terminal houses the
In April 2017, all airlines housed in Concourse E began moving to Concourse C. This would allow the airport to remodel the concourse and move International Arrivals processing into the terminal. Following redevelopment of Concourse E, the current International Arrivals Building just north of the main terminals will close. Airport officials are hoping to begin work in 2024, with the redeveloped concourse designed to have between 2-5 gates per the airport's Implementation Plan.[31][32]
Ground transportation
Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport is accessible from
Local transit
- MCTS Green Line offers service to downtown and north shore suburbs. Route 80 serves the Airport from Oak Creek, downtown, and the Milwaukee's north side.[33]
Intercity transit
- Badger Coaches has frequent trips between Mitchell Airport, Downtown Milwaukee, Johnson Creek, Goerkes Corners, and Madison.[34]
- Airport Connection serves the airport, Sheboygan and the Fox Valley Area.[35]
- Milwaukee Airport Rail Station is served by the Hiawatha Service.[36]The station is 3/4 of a mile from the airport. Free shuttle buses go between the train station and the baggage claim.
- Amtrak Thruway bus service runs from the airport to Fond du Lac, Oshkosh, Appleton, and Green Bay. [37]
- Wisconsin Coach Lines, as Airport Express, operates frequently to O'Hare Airport (ORD) in Chicago and from Waukesha, Milwaukee (Downtown and the Amtrak/Greyhound Station), Racine and Kenosha.[38]
- Lamers Connect, operates daily service to/from Wausau with stops in Milwaukee (Intermodal Station), Fond du Lac, Oshkosh, Appleton, Waupaca and Stevens Point.[39]
US military
The airport also hosts the General Mitchell Air National Guard Base on the eastern area of the airport property, home to the
Prior to 2007, a second military installation on the southwestern portion of the airport property was known as "General Mitchell Air Reserve Station" and was home to the
Airlines and destinations
Passenger
| Airlines | Destinations | Refs |
|---|---|---|
| Seattle/Tacoma | [40] | |
| American Airlines | Charlotte, Dallas/Fort Worth, Phoenix–Sky Harbor Seasonal: Miami | [41] |
| Washington–National[42] | [41] | |
| Delta Air Lines | Atlanta, Detroit, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Salt Lake City | [43] |
| New York–LaGuardia | [43] | |
| [46] | ||
| New York–JFK (ends October 27, 2024)[47] | [48] | |
| [50] | ||
| Spirit Airlines | Las Vegas, Orlando, Tampa[51] | [52] |
| Sun Country Airlines | Seasonal: Cancún, Fort Myers, Las Vegas, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Orlando, Phoenix–Sky Harbor[53] | [54] |
| Houston–Intercontinental, Newark | [55] | |
| Houston–Intercontinental, Newark | [55] |
Cargo
| Airlines | Destinations |
|---|---|
| Chicago–Midway, Green Bay, St. Paul–Downtown
| |
| Berry Aviation | Chicago–Executive |
| DHL Aviation | Cincinnati, Winnipeg |
| Freight Runners Express | Appleton, Fargo, Green Bay, Madison, Middleton, Mineral Point, Mosinee, Oshkosh, Peoria, Rhinelander, Rochester (MN), Sheboygan Falls, Spencer (IA), West Chicago, Wisconsin Dells |
| Martinaire | Iron Mountain, Ironwood |
| PACC Air | Rhinelander |
| Royal Air Freight | Pontiac |
| UPS Airlines | Louisville Seasonal: Minneapolis/St. Paul |
Statistics
| Rank | Airline | Passengers | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Southwest | 2,218,000 | 37.96% |
| 2 | Delta | 1,106,000 | 18.93% |
| 3 | American | 615,000 | 10.52% |
| 4 | SkyWest
|
465,000 | 7.95% |
| 5 | Spirit | 223,000 | 3.82% |
| Other | 1,216,000 | 20.81% |
Top destinations
| Rank | Airport | Passengers | Carriers |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Atlanta, Georgia
|
348,290 | Delta, Southwest |
| 2 |  Denver, Colorado
|
289,520 | Frontier, Southwest, United |
| 3 |  Orlando, Florida
|
226,310 | Frontier, Southwest, Spirit |
| 4 |  Las Vegas, Nevada
|
182,790 | Frontier, Southwest, Spirit, Sun Country |
| 5 |  Chicago–O'Hare, Illinois
|
161,630 | American, United |
| 6 |  Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota
|
161,420 | Delta, Sun Country |
| 7 |  Phoenix, Arizona
|
157,320 | American, Southwest, Sun Country |
| 8 |  Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas
|
129,350 | American |
| 9 |  Charlotte, North Carolina
|
126,620 | American |
| 10 |  Detroit, Michigan
|
121,890 | Delta |
Passenger numbers
 | Graphs are unavailable due to technical issues. There is more info on Phabricator and on MediaWiki.org. |
Accidents and incidents
- On December 17, 1954, a Miller Brewing Company plane, a converted twin-engine Lockheed Ventura bound for Winnipeg on a Friday evening, had trouble with both engines and crashed shortly after takeoff from Mitchell Field.[57][58] All four on board were killed, which included company president Fred Miller and his oldest son, 20-year-old Fred Jr.,[59] and the two company pilots, brothers Joseph and Paul Laird.[60][61]
- On August 4, 1968, a Convair CV-580, flying as North Central Airlines Flight 261, collided in mid-air with a rented Cessna 150F 11.5 miles (19 km) southwest of the airport. The Cessna was destroyed, but its cabin remained embedded in the Convair's forward baggage compartment; the Cessna's three occupants were killed. The Convair made a safe emergency landing at Milwaukee. The Cessna was on a VFR flight from Lombard, Illinois to Sheboygan County Memorial Airport in Sheboygan Falls. It was determined that the inability of the Convair 580 flight crew to detect the Cessna 150 visually in sufficient time to take evasive action, despite having been provided with three radar traffic advisories, caused the crash. Visual detection capabilities were reduced by the heavy accumulation of insect smears on the windows of the Convair. Visibility was further reduced by haze, smoke and sunglare, and by the inconspicuous colour and lack of relative motion of the Cessna.
- On January 29, 1969, a final approach. The weather was foggy with a visibility of a half mile. Four of the 11 people on board were killed and the plane was damaged beyond repair.[62]
- On January 22, 1971,
- On July 27, 1974, a USMC Hawker Siddeley AV-8A Harrier crashed during a hover maneuver at as part of an air show demonstration flight. The impact of the crash initiated the firing of the pilot's ejection seat and the pilot survived. (reference: https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/77329)
- On September 6, 1985, NTSB reports, the crash was caused by improper pilot reaction when the plane's right engine failed due to stress corrosion cracking. The improper flight control inputs caused an uncommanded roll and accelerated stall. The 31 people on board died.[64]
- On December 10, 1993, a Wisconsin Air National Guard KC-135 blew up on the ground. Six maintenance personnel died.
- In early August 1997, an SR-71 declared an in-air emergency prior to a fly-by at the Oshkosh Airshow and diverted to General Mitchell International Airport. No one was hurt in the incident.[65]
- On August 31, 2005, a Midwest Airlines Boeing 717 bumped a weed spraying truck and damaged the plane's left wing. No one was hurt in the incident.
- On January 21, 2007, a Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport and was to continue on to Buffalo Niagara International Airport. Amongst the 104 people aboard, only one back injury was reported.[66][67]
- On January 23, 2007, two NTSBinvestigation determined both pilots and air traffic control were at fault for the accident.
- On June 4, 2007, a Cessna Citation II crashed after reporting a runaway trim tab. The pilot issued a distress signal within five minutes after taking off. The plane then crashed into Lake Michigan two miles (3 km) off shore. The plane was carrying an organ transplant team from the University of Michigan back to Willow Run Airport. There was a crew of two and four passengers aboard. All six died.
- On September 12, 2008, at 7:13 PM, a Vilas Countycrashed half of a mile southwest of the airport. All three people on board died.
See also
- Empire Builder
- Hiawatha Service
- List of airports in Wisconsin
- List of intercity bus stops in Wisconsin
- Milwaukee Airport station
- Milwaukee County Transit System
- Milwaukee Intermodal Station
References
This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency
- ^ "MKE Airport Statistics for 2023" (PDF). mitchellairport.com. Retrieved February 1, 2024.
- PDF, effective April 18, 2024.
- ^ "NPIAS Report 2023-2027 Appendix A" (PDF). Federal Aviation Administration. October 6, 2022. Retrieved December 4, 2022.
- ^ "MKE airport data at skyvector.com". skyvector.com. Retrieved September 4, 2022.
- ^ Jones, Meg. "Milwaukee's Billy Mitchell predicted Pearl Harbor attack". Retrieved July 24, 2020.
- ^ a b Dorcey, John (February 16, 2011). "Milwaukee's First Airport". Retrieved July 18, 2020.
- ^ "Mitchell airport attracting more passengers from northern Illinois". Retrieved July 31, 2020.
- ^ "Threaded Extremes". Threadex.rcc-acis.org. Retrieved June 26, 2017.
- ^ a b "Historic Markers – General Mitchell Field WI221". Milwaukee County Historical Society. 1978. Archived from the original on September 28, 2007. Retrieved October 4, 2006.
- OCLC 48998212.
- Milwaukee Journal. July 21, 1955. Retrieved June 16, 2012.
- The Milwaukee Sentinel. Retrieved June 16, 2012.
- ^ Kirchen, Rich (September 21, 2008). "Lubar: Sell Airport to Eliminate Milwaukee County Deficit". Milwaukee Business Journal. Bizjournals.com. Retrieved October 9, 2009.
- ^ Klopf, Rebecca (February 5, 2019). "Milwaukee airport quietly changes its name". NBC26. Retrieved February 6, 2019.
- ^ "Mitchell International Airport drops 'General' from name, adds Milwaukee". FOX6 News (via NBC 15). February 5, 2019. Retrieved November 14, 2022.
- ^ ""General" dropped from airport's name, now "Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport"". CBS58. February 5, 2019. Retrieved February 6, 2019.
- ^ Leary, Patrick. "MKE rebranding to Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport, dropping 'General'". Milwaukee Business Journal. Retrieved February 6, 2019.
- ^ "Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport named one of the best in the world".
- ^ "Master Plan Update". General Mitchell International Airport. July 28, 2006. Archived from the original (PDF) on April 14, 2012. Retrieved February 11, 2008.
- ^ "Mitchell proposes closing one concourse". Milwaukee Business Journal. October 5, 2012. Retrieved September 13, 2014.
- ^ "Milwaukee County's 2018 budget includes $25 million for new terminal at Mitchell International Airport". jsonline.com. Retrieved November 27, 2017.
- ^ "5040-Airport Budget Report" (PDF). p. 5. Retrieved May 2, 2018.
- ^ Leary, Patrick (October 16, 2018). "Process to turn shuttered Mitchell airport concourse into new international terminal begins". Milwaukee Business Journal. Retrieved September 10, 2019.
- ^ Naczek, Margaret. "Mitchell airport reports 96% drop in passengers in April". Milwaukee Business Journal. Retrieved June 8, 2020.
The airport recently reported that as a result of the drastic passenger traffic declines, it had to postpone the start of its E Concourse construction, which would transform the concourse into an international terminal.
- ^ Salgado, Beck Andrew (March 6, 2023). "Mitchell Airport receives $5.1 million from FAA; will be used to renovate concourse roof". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved April 12, 2023.
- ^ "INTERACTIVE TERMINAL GUIDE". Retrieved July 18, 2020.
- ^ "The Challenge of Airport Bookselling", Publishers Weekly, July 13, 1984
- ^ Snyder, Molly (May 21, 2015). "Mitchell airport boasts world's only "recombobulation area" signs". Retrieved April 15, 2018.
- ^ "State Historical marker #221" (PDF). Wisconsin History. Retrieved September 27, 2008.
- ^ Horne, Michael. "Plenty of Horne: Airport's Soviet Peace Mural Covered Up". Urban Milwaukee. Retrieved March 22, 2022.
- ^ "Milwaukee airport to get new international terminal". Milwaukee WI: WISN. WISN News. July 15, 2016. Retrieved July 28, 2016.
United Airlines and Air Canada, both of which currently operate from Concourse E, will move to Concourse C
- ^ Ricondo & Associates, Inc. (June 2022). "Master Plan Update" (PDF). Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport. Retrieved September 29, 2023.
- ^ "MCTS". Milwaukee County Transit System. Retrieved September 15, 2012.
- ^ "Wisconsin Bus Charters". Badger Coaches. Archived from the original on September 28, 2008. Retrieved September 27, 2008.
- ^ "MKE Airport Connection". Airport Connection. Retrieved September 27, 2008.
- ^ "Milwaukee Airport Station". Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WISDOT). Archived from the original on September 12, 2008. Retrieved September 27, 2008.
- ^ "Amtrak Thruway I-41 Bus Service". Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WISDOT).
- ^ "Wisconsin Coach service". Coach USA. Archived from the original on September 16, 2008. Retrieved September 27, 2008.
- ^ "Lamers Connect". Lamers Bus Lines. Retrieved September 15, 2012.
- ^ "Flight Timetable". Archived from the original on February 2, 2017. Retrieved January 29, 2017.
- ^ a b "Flight schedules and notifications". Archived from the original on February 2, 2017. Retrieved January 7, 2017.
- ^ "American Airlines non-stop flights from Milwaukee to Washington, DC starting Oct. 5, 2023". June 19, 2023.
- ^ a b "FLIGHT SCHEDULES". Archived from the original on June 21, 2015. Retrieved January 7, 2017.
- ^ "Frontier Airlines increases summer schedule at PHL by 47% with 10 new routes". February 7, 2024. Retrieved February 7, 2024.
- ^ "Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport: Frontier Airlines announces new nonstop flights from MKE to Raleigh-Durham | WisBusiness". January 23, 2024.
- ^ "Frontier". Archived from the original on September 12, 2017. Retrieved January 7, 2017.
- ^ "JetBlue 2024 Suspended Routes Summary – 21JAN24". Aeroroutes. Retrieved January 23, 2024.
- ^ "JetBlue Flight Schedule". Retrieved October 25, 2021.
- ^ "Southwest 2024 newly released schedules".
- ^ "Southwest Airlines - Check Flight Schedules". Retrieved October 25, 2021.
- ^ "Spirit Airlines March 2024 Tampa Network Expansion". Aeroroutes. Retrieved February 5, 2024.
- ^ "Spirit Airlines Route Map". Retrieved October 25, 2021.
- ^ "Sun Country December 2023 Milwaukee Network Additions". Aeroroutes. Retrieved May 26, 2023.
- ^ "Sun Country Website".
- ^ a b "Timetable". Archived from the original on January 28, 2017. Retrieved January 7, 2017.
- ^ a b "Milwaukee International (MKE) Summary Statistics". www.transtats.bts.gov. Bureau Of Transportation Statistics. June 2023. Retrieved April 11, 2024.
- ^ "Fred Miller, son die in fiery plane crash". Milwaukee Sentinel. December 18, 1954. p. 1.
- ^ "Fred C. Miller, son killed in air crash". Milwaukee Journal. December 18, 1954. p. 1.
- ^ "Fred Miller, Jr., versatile athlete". Milwaukee Sentinel. December 18, 1954. p. 2.
- ^ "Pilots buried side by side". Milwaukee Journal. December 20, 1954. p. 2.
- ^ "CAB findings in Miller crash". Milwaukee Sentinel. March 18, 1955. p. 1, part 2.
- ^ "Aircraft Accident Boeing KC-97". Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved May 14, 2015.
- Aviation Safety Network
- ^ "Midwest Express Airlines Flight 105". National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). Retrieved September 27, 2008.
- ^ Francey, Dave (February 21, 2019). "Stories of Oshkosh - Dave Francey". Inspire EAA. Retrieved February 26, 2019.
- Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. Archived from the originalon February 10, 2007. Retrieved September 28, 2008.
- Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. Archived from the originalon January 5, 2009. Retrieved September 28, 2008. (republished by Hall & Associates)
- ^ "Cargo Planes Collide, Burn at Milwaukee Airport". Fox News. January 24, 2007. Archived from the original on October 22, 2012. Retrieved September 28, 2008.
- "Midwest Airlines, Virgin's GlobalFlyer". Airliners (94). Miami: World Transport Press. July–August 2005. OCLC 17241224.
Further reading
- Tascher, Joe. "Can't find a nonstop flight from Mitchell International? Check again." Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. July 16, 2013.
External links
- Official website
- Milwaukee County Fire Department
- Milwaukee Airport Railroad Station
- FAA Airport Diagram (PDF), effective April 18, 2024
- Resources for this airport:
- AirNav airport information for KMKE
- ASN accident history for MKE
- FlightAware airport information and live flight tracker
- NOAA/NWS weather observations: current, past three days
- SkyVector aeronautical chart for KMKE
- FAA current MKE delay information