Inbound and outbound travelers make history just before Christmas
For the first time in the history of the Appleton International Airport, inbound and outbound travelers have reached the one million mark in a single calendar year. Expansion of existing routes, nonstop flights, and new routes contributed to the historic growth for 2024. Official numbers will be calculated early in 2025, but airport officials predict overall passenger growth in 2024 is 12% higher than 2023.
“This is a mark every team member and every one of our airline partners is proud of,” said Airport Director Abe Weber. “Our investments to make the Appleton Airport the faster, easier and more convenient option are resonating with the community. And airlines notice.”
“This milestone is one more measure of the economic health of the Fox Cities,” said Outagamie County Executive Thomas Nelson. “The growth of the airport shows the Fox Valley is a region where jobs, business, infrastructure, and quality of life are on a path for continued success.”
In 2024, the airport marked significant achievements contributing to higher passenger counts:
- American Airlines added more flights in 2024 resulting in 58% more available seats on their airline in 2024.
- Appleton is the state’s only Allegiant base. Allegiant offers travelers 12 nonstop routes out of Appleton and added 9% more seats in 2024.
- Delta added a third daily Detroit flight and, overall, added 11% more seats in 2024.
- The airport logged its busiest month ever in March of 2024, welcoming 100,800 total passengers (enplaned and deplaned).
- ATW added amenities for travelers in the main terminal to include additional concessions, expanding Express Eats and ATW Express Bags, a bypass-the counter bag check option
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 April 2025. When complete, the terminal expansion will include the following improvements designed for passenger comfort:
- Gate areas will be expanded bringing the total number of gates to 10.
- A connector between the existing gates and new gates, plus expanded areas for passenger boarding and a variety of seating options.
- Addition of a Biergarten and another bar/restaurant in the gate area for ticketed passengers.
- Low-rise ramps to ensure easy access for all people regardless of mobility concerns.
- 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. For more information on construction progress, please visit https://atwairport.com/elevate/
About Appleton International Airport
Appleton International Airport connects our community to the world through American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, and Allegiant Air. In addition to offering nonstop service to 19 destinations, Appleton Airport connects to 12 major international airport hubs from which travelers can fly to almost anywhere in the world. Using Appleton Airport, travelers can safely and more conveniently get to their destination and home again, leaving them more time for what really matters. Appleton International Airport is the third busiest airport in Wisconsin. Visit atwairport.com to learn more.
