Appleton International Airport announces it logged its busiest month ever in March of 2024, welcoming 100,800 total passengers (enplaned and deplaned).
In addition to a record breaking March 2024, the Appleton International Airport broke all travel records in 2023 with total arrivals and departures topping 967,687. This represents an increase of 14.27% over 2023 making it the fastest growing airport in the state according to TSA numbers.
Airport officials credit a busy spring break season with the growth in passenger numbers AND the growing number of nonstop flights available from the Appleton Airport.
“It’s clear more and more travelers are choosing to fly through Appleton,” said Airport Director Abe Weber. “Our airline partners continue to add seats through ATW, and our community continues to respond by choosing our airport over other options.
Airlines increased the number of seats departing and returning to Appleton throughout 2023. Most notably, American Airlines continued to heavily invest in Appleton with 36% more flights and 31% more seats year over year. The Appleton Airport is served by American, Delta, and United airlines and is the only Wisconsin airport served by Allegiant Airlines. In 2023, a nonstop route to Portland was added; in 2024 nonstop flights to New York (EWR), and Dallas (DFW) were added. Other nonstop routes include:
· Portland, Oregon
· Phoenix/Mesa, Arizona
· Nashville, Tennessee
· Las Vegas, Nevada
· New York (Newark)
· Savannah/Hilton Head, Georgia
· Flights to Florida include Ft. Lauderdale/Miami, Orlando/Daytona Beach, Tampa/St. Petersburg, Sarasota/Bradenton, Ft. Meyers/Punta Gorda
· Atlanta, Georgia
· Charlotte, North Carolina
· Chicago, Illinois
· Dallas/Ft. Worth (DFW)
· Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota
· Detroit, Michigan
· Denver, Colorado
“We anticipate the increase in nonstop destinations and our planned terminal expansion will help us top the one-million mark in arriving and departing passengers in 2024,” Weber said.
In addition, construction is underway on a major airport expansion. The $66 million, 47,000 square-foot expansion of the main concourse is slated for phased completion starting in late 2025. The first phase of the terminal expansion will include the following improvements:
· The gate area will be expanded bringing the total number of gates to 10.
· There will be a connector between the existing gates and new gates, plus expanded areas for passenger boarding and a variety of seating options.
· There will be a Biergarten and an additional bar/restaurant in the gate area for ticketed passengers.
· Ramps will be used throughout to ensure easy access for all people regardless of abilities.
· Passenger comfort is a primary goal, so there will be expanded restroom facilities, a sensory support room, a quiet room, and a service animal relief area.
Future construction phases will expand ticketing and baggage claim areas and refresh existing concourse areas in the airport.
