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Mitchell Airport Starts 2018 With Increased Passenger Traffic

Airport Officials Say Expanded Service Boosted Traffic By Nearly 7 Percent

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airplane taking off
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Milwaukee’s General Mitchell International Airport saw a nearly 7 percent jump in passenger traffic in the first quarter of the year, according to airport officials.

The airport released data Wednesday showing that more than 1.7 million passengers used Mitchell in January, February and March.

Airport spokesman Harold Mester said the increase is largely due to expanded service, with two new airlines operating out of Mitchell, and other carriers adding additional routes.

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“New flights to Salt Lake City on Delta, Houston Hobby Airport on Southwest, Alaska Airlines is now flying larger equipment on their nonstop flights to Seattle,” Mester said. “So, a lot of new air service for our community and it’s reflected in these higher numbers.”

Many of the new and expanded routes connect Milwaukee with the west coast. And three airlines are adding or expanding service between Milwaukee and Seattle.

Several carriers are set to resume service to San Francisco, San Diego and Portland, Oregon next month.

The airport saw 6.9 million total passengers in 2017, the highest annual figure since 2012.