GREENVILLE, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — People are hitting the roads, and the airports once again, to kick off Memorial Day weekend. Appleton Airport says it’s seeing passenger numbers continue to increase as the summer months approach. Appleton’s Airport Director says their 2021 numbers are at 80% compared to 2019.
Jetting off from Appleton for Memorial Day Weekend was the perfect opportunity for one Freedom mom to be reunited with her son, who she hasn’t seen since Christmas.
“We’re meeting with my son, he’s in the Air Force, so we’re meeting up with him for a little Memorial Day celebration,” said Tracy Murphy.
Murphy and her family are just a few people traveling through the airport this month. Approximately 60,000 passengers have flown in and out of Appleton Airport this April, which isn’t far off from 2019 numbers. When 75,000 people traveled through.
“Planes are still in the air, you just gotta have a mask on the whole time. For personal use, it’s fine, it’s fun,” said traveler Derek Havlovick.
Havlovick says safety protocols still being in place at airports have made him feel comfortable enough to travel these last few months.
“You gotta just trust the system at the end of the day. I don’t know it’s just something you never worry about, if everyone else has got a mask on I’m sure I’m fine,” said Havlovick.
People say masking isn’t the only reason why they’re ready to board the planes again. Rose Kilsdonk from Appleton is fully vaccinated.
FOX 11 asked if the vaccine makes her confident enough to travel again.
“I wouldn’t do it without it,” said Kilsdonk.
Kilsdonk says traveling this upcoming season doesn’t stop at Memorial Day weekend.
“I’m graduating from Denver in two weeks so I pre-planned going out there. So I’ll be leaving from here to go there in two weeks and then Portugal at the end of the summer,” said Killsdonk.
Appleton Airport’s director says he expects travel numbers to continue to increase in June and especially July.
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