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Milwaukee, Wisconsin, is home to several airports, including Timmerman Airport, Capitol Drive Airport, Szymanski Airport, and the city's main airport, Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport (MKE). Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport is located at 5300 South Howell Ave. Milwaukee, WI 53207. The airport has a rich history, dating back to the early days of aviation, and has undergone numerous expansions and renovations to accommodate the growing demand for air travel in the region.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport |
| Address | 5300 South Howell Ave. Milwaukee, WI 53207 |
| Other Names | General Mitchell International Airport, General Mitchell Field, Mitchell Field, MKE |
| History | The airport was originally called "Milwaukee Air Port" or "Lisbon Avenue Airport". In 1926, it was renamed "Milwaukee County Airport". In 1941, the name changed to "General Mitchell Field". In 1986, it became "General Mitchell International Airport". |
| Airlines | SkyWest Airlines, Northwest Airlines, Midwest Express, Lamers Connect |
| Destinations | Wausau, Fond du Lac, Oshkosh, Appleton, Waupaca, Stevens Point, Atlanta's Hartsfield International Airport, Winnipeg, Chicago, the Twin Cities |
| Incidents | Midwest Express Flight 105 crashed on takeoff in 1985. A Wisconsin Air National Guard KC-135 exploded on the ground in 1993. An SR-71 declared an in-air emergency and diverted to the airport in 1997. A Miller Brewing Company plane crashed shortly after takeoff in 1954. |
| Other Features | Hosts the General Mitchell Air National Guard Base, an observation lot open to the public, a historical marker on 6th Street, a new International Terminal opened in 2020 |
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What You'll Learn
- Milwaukee's main airport: Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport
- Historical names: Milwaukee Air Port, Lisbon Avenue Airport, General Mitchell Field
- Location: 5300 South Howell Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53207
- Historical events: Midwest Express Flight 105 crash in 1985, SR-71 emergency diversion in 1997
- Other Milwaukee airports: Timmerman Airport, Capitol Drive Airport, Szymanski Airport
Milwaukee's main airport: Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport
Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport is the main airport serving Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The airport is located at 5300 South Howell Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53207.
The airport was first established in 1919 when Alfred Lawson approached the Milwaukee County Park Commission about constructing an airport. The commission suggested the Zimmerman farm, now the site of James Currie Park in Wauwatosa. The airport was initially called the "Milwaukee Air Port" or the "Lisbon Avenue Airport". In 1926, Milwaukee County purchased an airport in the Town of Lake, renaming it the "Milwaukee County Airport". This airport was expanded and updated over the years to accommodate the growing aviation industry. In 1941, it was renamed "General Mitchell Field" in honour of Billy Mitchell. The name was changed again in 1986 to "General Mitchell International Airport" when a United States Customs station was added.
Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport has continued to undergo expansions and developments. In 1990, a 16-gate addition was opened, and in 2007, another 8 gates were added, bringing the total number of gates to 50. In 2018, initial funding was approved for the replacement of Concourse E with a new International Terminal, addressing the limitations of the current International Arrivals Terminal. The airport also hosts the General Mitchell Air National Guard Base, home to the 128th Air Refueling Wing, with approximately 1000 personnel and a KC-135 flight simulator for training purposes.
Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport has a rich history, having witnessed several notable incidents over the years. In 1954, a Miller Brewing Company plane crashed shortly after takeoff, and in 1993, a Wisconsin Air National Guard KC-135 exploded on the ground, resulting in fatalities. In 1997, an SR-71 diverted to the airport after declaring an in-air emergency, and in 2001, a Midwest Express flight narrowly avoided a collision with another aircraft, performing two steep dives to ensure safety.
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Historical names: Milwaukee Air Port, Lisbon Avenue Airport, General Mitchell Field
Milwaukee's main airport, Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport, has a rich history. It was previously known as Milwaukee County Airport, Billy Mitchell Field, and General Mitchell International Airport.
The airport's history dates back to the early 1900s when it served as a site for recreation, commercial travel, and the transportation of goods. In 1919, Milwaukee formally entered the aviation era with the establishment of its first county-operated airport, Butler Airport, located on the current site of James Currie Park and Golf Course in Milwaukee County. This airport was later renamed "Milwaukee Air Port" or "Lisbon Avenue Airport."
In the 1920s, flying became a popular recreational activity, drawing crowds to the airport, especially on weekends. During this time, passengers paid $5 for a 10-minute trip, and spectators gathered to watch stunt pilots and "air derbies."
On March 17, 1941, the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors voted to change the name of the County airport to "'Billy Mitchell Field' to honor Brigadier General William "Billy" Mitchell, a Milwaukee native, and a strong advocate for air power. The airport experienced significant growth in the number of flight operations during this time, including large propeller-driven aircraft.
On July 19, 1955, a new three-concourse, two-level terminal facility opened at a cost of $3.2 million, with a capacity of 23 aircraft gates. The airport continued to expand and renovate over the years, with additional concourses and gates being added to accommodate increasing air traffic.
On June 19, 1986, the airport was officially renamed "General Mitchell International Airport", reflecting its national recognition and the presence of United States Customs. In February 2019, the airport was rebranded as "Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport" to highlight its location, although the former name is still used by the FAA and the US government.
Today, Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport remains the primary airport for Milwaukee and is also used by travelers throughout Southern and Eastern Wisconsin and Northern Illinois. It has been recognized as one of the best airports in the world by the Airports Council International.
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Location: 5300 South Howell Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53207
The address 5300 South Howell Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53207 is that of Milwaukee's main airport, Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport. The airport is also commonly referred to as General Mitchell International Airport.
Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport is a public airport serving the Milwaukee, Wisconsin area. It provides domestic and international air travel services for passengers and cargo transportation for businesses. The airport accommodates a range of airlines, offering a variety of flight options for both leisure and business travellers. It also features amenities such as dining options, shops, and parking facilities.
The history of the airport dates back to the early 20th century when, in 1919, Alfred Lawson approached the Milwaukee County Park Commission about constructing an airport. The commission proposed the recently acquired Zimmerman farm as a potential site, which is now occupied by James Currie Park in Wauwatosa. In 1925, the Air Mail Act allowed private carriers to deliver mail by air, further encouraging the development of commercial airlines. Thomas Hamilton, owner of Hamilton Aero Manufacturing, subsequently built an airport in the Town of Lake in 1920, which was purchased by Milwaukee County in 1926 and renamed the "Milwaukee County Airport".
In 1941, the airport was renamed "General Mitchell Field" in honour of Billy Mitchell, and it has since undergone numerous expansions and updates to accommodate the growing aviation industry. In 1986, the airport was renamed once more, becoming the “General Mitchell International Airport" with the addition of a United States Customs' station. Today, the airport continues to be a hub for several airlines and plays a significant role in local air travel, with a total of 50 gates available for passenger and cargo transportation.
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Historical events: Midwest Express Flight 105 crash in 1985, SR-71 emergency diversion in 1997
Milwaukee is served by several airports, including Capitol Drive Airport, Lawrence J. Timmerman Airport, Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport, and Szymanski Airport. Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport, formerly known as General Mitchell Airport, is the main airport in Milwaukee.
Midwest Express Flight 105 Crash in 1985
On September 6, 1985, Midwest Express Airlines Flight 105, a McDonnell Douglas DC-9, crashed into an open field in Oak Creek, Wisconsin, shortly after taking off from Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport. The aircraft was carrying 27 passengers and four crew members. Unfortunately, none of them survived.
Multiple eyewitnesses reported that the plane was on fire shortly after takeoff. It was later determined that the fire was caused by a failure of the right engine, where one of its removable sleeve spacers detached due to metal fatigue, causing the engine to explode.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) concluded that while the plane suffered engine failure, it was still controllable, and the crew's response to the emergency was the main cause of the accident. There was a breakdown in crew coordination, and poor oversight by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) also contributed to the crash.
SR-71 Emergency Diversion in 1997
In 1997, an SR-71 aircraft experienced mechanical problems and was forced to divert to a precautionary landing in South Korea. This diversion occurred during a time when the United States was publicly denying the presence of any SR-71s in the region. The SR-71's parent organization, the 9th SRW, provided a complete briefing on the circumstances and missions to the US Ambassador to Korea.
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Other Milwaukee airports: Timmerman Airport, Capitol Drive Airport, Szymanski Airport
Milwaukee's primary airport is the Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport. However, there are a few other airports in the region. These include Timmerman Airport, Capitol Drive Airport, and Szymanski Airport.
Timmerman Airport
Located on Milwaukee's northwest side, Timmerman Airport is a convenient choice for private and business travellers. It offers a friendly, personalized experience for pilots and visitors alike.
Capitol Drive Airport
Capitol Drive Airport is one of the four key airports in the region, along with Timmerman, Mitchell International, and Szymanski. While not much information is readily available about this airport, it is included in a dataset for GIS professionals interested in aviation-related projects.
Szymanski Airport
Szymanski Airport is another one of the four key airports in Milwaukee. Like Capitol Drive Airport, specific details about Szymanski Airport are not readily available, but it is included in the dataset for GIS projects related to aviation and mapping applications.
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Frequently asked questions
Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport.
5300 South Howell Ave. Milwaukee, WI 53207.
The airport was originally called "Milwaukee County Airport" and was built by Thomas Hamilton in 1920. In 1941, it was renamed "General Mitchell Field" in honour of Billy Mitchell. In 1986, the airport was renamed again to General Mitchell International Airport when a United States Customs’ station was added.
Milwaukee is also home to Timmerman Airport, Capitol Drive Airport, and Szymanski Airport.
