Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport is gearing up for a busy holiday travel season with new international flights — and by reminding travelers about some helpful tips.
At a news conference Wednesday, airport director Brian Dranzik and Sun Country Airlines senior vice president and chief revenue officer Grant Whitney highlighted the airport’s successful year and new Sun Country flights coming this winter.
“So, 2024 has been a growth year for Milwaukee, and we expect to have more flights and more passengers than we did a year ago,” Dranzik said. “Last year, MKE saw just over 6 million passengers come through our facility, and we’ve already surpassed the 5 million passenger mark this year.”
He said the airport expects to hit 6 million passengers by the end of the year. The airport had just over 6 million passengers in 2023, evidence that travel was finally rebounding after the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2019 and earlier, the airport had between 6.5 million and 7 million passengers annually; that tanked to 2.63 million in 2020.
Dranzik said the airport is preparing to welcome more than 250,000 arriving and departing holiday travelers.
“Much of that growth has been fueled by new flights that have been added over the last year,” he said.
Sun Country airlines senior vice president and chief revenue officer Grant Whitney (center) discusses new, nonstop flights from Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport to Cancun, Punta Cana and Montego Bay at a news conference on Dec. 11, 2024.
Milwaukee airport adds flights to the Dominican Republic and Jamaica
If you’re looking to escape the cold weather this winter, MKE has plenty of good news.
Beginning Dec. 20, American Airlines is increasing its nonstop service to Miami from Saturdays-only to every day. In January, Alaska Airlines will start offering nonstop, seasonal service to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, via Apple Vacations/FunJet Vacations. Both services have been available in the past.
Minneapolis-based, self-described “leisure airline” Sun Country is expanding its warm-weather offerings at MKE. The airline’s nonstop seasonal service to Cancun, Mexico, is returning Dec. 20, and it’s adding new, seasonal nonstop flights to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, and Montego Bay, Jamaica.
Earlier this year, MKE said flights to Punta Cana will begin Dec. 26 and run through April 7. Flights will initially operate twice weekly and increase to four times per week, beginning Jan. 23. Service to Montego Bay begins Jan. 25 and will operate twice weekly through April 5, the airport said in May.
Whitney said Sun Country is excited to grow its presence in Milwaukee and Wisconsin after building its brand in Minnesota for over 40 years with a focus on taking customers to warm-weather destinations in the winter.
“Up in Minneapolis, we see a lot of commonality in terms of the demand set up of Minneapolis and Milwaukee,” Whitney said. “These (new destinations) are fan favorites from our Minneapolis traveling base, so we’re excited to bring them here.”
Domestically, Sun Country offers nonstop service from MKE to Fort Myers, Florida; Orlando; and Phoenix. The airline also operates in Madison, Eau Claire and Green Bay ― flying from Eau Claire and Green Bay to Fort Myers and from Madison to Fort Myers and Phoenix.
You can book flights on SunCountry.com or the Sun Country Airlines mobile app.
Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport director Brian Dranzik (center), Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley (left) and Sun Country airlines senior vice president and chief revenue officer Grant Whitney discuss new Sun Country flights and holiday travel tips Dec. 11, 2024, at the airport.
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Milwaukee airport holiday travel tips
With the airport expected to be busier during the holiday season, Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley offered the following travel tips:
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Arrive early: Crowley and the airport recommend anyone flying from MKE during the holiday season arrive at least two hours before their departure time, especially if they’re checking bags or traveling with children.
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Download the MKE SmartPark app: The app, available for iPhone or Android, allows you to make parking reservations and guarantee parking availability. You can earn rewards for free parking and use the app to scan in and out of parking lots.
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Use the airport’s coat check service: If you’re heading somewhere warm ― such as the new Sun Country destinations ― Crowley encourages travelers to use MKE’s coat check service, located at the airport’s Summerfest Marketplace store. You can leave your coat there for $2 per day.
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Plan ahead if you’re picking someone up: If you’re picking up a friend or family member from the airport this holiday season, MKE recommends tracking their inbound flight online to avoid unnecessary wait times. Parking in the hourly lot is free for the first 30 minutes, allowing you to meet your traveler in the airport.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee airport adds new flights for holidays, winter