Travelers to Milwaukee in for a ‘Soft Landing’
Airline competition is heating up in Milwaukee and that means that travelers to and from "Brew City" are the winners. Milwaukee-bound travelers are seeing lower fares and more options than ever at Milwaukee's General Mitchell International Airport. Now with 12 airlines serving up to 50 cities non-stop nationwide, the airport saw a record-breaking 17% increase in numbers of passengers (648,779) in September 2009 over the same period last year.
Top carriers Midwest Airlines, AirTran Airways and Delta were joined by Southwest Airlines entry into the market on Nov. 1, further ramping up competition and driving down prices for travelers flying into and out of the city.
Airport Director Barry Bateman said, "The average airfare out of Milwaukee was lower than 75 other U.S. airports, according to recently released U.S. Department of Transportation statistics for 2nd Quarter 2009. Mitchell's average fare was about $44 less than O'Hare's and $28 less than the nation's average fare."
Tracking the rapid pace of changes at Milwaukee's airport, industry analysts also point out that airfares out of Milwaukee are at an average of 29 percent lower than last year's winter season. MSNBC travel writer Chris Elliott even ranks Milwaukee among the "top five least expensive destinations for fall travel."
Low prices, more destinations and airport amenities like easy accessibility and discounted parking are great news for locals, and also make Mitchell International a magnet for increased business from Northern Illinois. In fact, Mitchell is often referred to as "Chicago's third airport."
"The travel industry has been hard-hit with the recession, but the Milwaukee airline story is a positive development that makes Milwaukee's value destination story to the convention / meeting planners and leisure travelers that much more compelling," said David Fantle, vice president, public relations for VISIT Milwaukee. "Milwaukee's central location and affordable flights coupled with its convention and leisure amenities will hopefully help tip the scale for visitors making destination decisions."
VISIT Milwaukee markets Greater Milwaukee to tourists, convention and meeting planners nationally and internationally and is dedicated to ensuring our guests are warmly welcomed and enjoy an enriching experience in this jewel of the Great Lakes. VISIT Milwaukee has more than 620 members, including hotels/motels, restaurants, attractions, services and area businesses. Tourism generated $2.7 billion in spending in Greater Milwaukee in 2008 and supported about 66,000 local jobs. The City of Wauwatosa, Midwest Airlines, Potawatomi Bingo Casino and the Wisconsin Center District are strategic partners with VISIT Milwaukee, providing funding support for conventions and tourism programs. For more information call 1-800-554-1448 or visit http://www.visitmilwaukee.org/.