Appleton International Airport (Photo: Fox 11 Online)
APPLETON, WI (WTAQ) — Appleton International Airport broke its own travel records in 2023, making it the fastest growing airport in the state.
And to support its continued growth, the airport announced it received a $3.42 million FAA grant toward its concourse expansion project.
The airport broke ground in 2023 on a $66 million, 47,000 square-foot expansion of the main concourse slated for phased completion starting in late 2025. The grant will partially fund the construction of passenger boarding bridges, a solar/sustainability project, and additional mechanical equipment.
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.
- Expanded restroom facilities, a sensory support room, a quiet room, and a pet relief area.
According to TSA numbers, ATW had a total of 967,687 passenger arrivals and departures, representing an increase of 14.27% over 2023.
Compared to numbers from 2013, a year in which 483,317 passengers traveled through Appleton, passenger totals have doubled in the last 10 years. The number of private planes landing at the Appleton Flight Center increased 15% in 2023 to a total of 16,977.
Airlines increased the number of seats departing and returning to Appleton throughout 2023. Most notably, American Airlines added 36.2% more flights in 2023 vs 2022 and 30.6% more seats over the same time period. The Appleton Airport is served by American, Delta, and United airlines and is the only Wisconsin airport served by Allegiant Airlines. In 2023, three additional nonstop routes were announced; Portland, OR (which began in May 2023), New York/Newark (beginning May 2024), and Dallas/DFW (beginning June 2024).
Other nonstop flights include: Nashville, Tennessee, Las Vegas, Nevada, Savannah/Hilton Head, Georgia, Charlotte, North Carolina, Denver, Colorado and Ft. Lauderdale/Miami, Florida.
“We anticipate the increase in nonstop destinations and our planned terminal expansion will help us top the one-million mark in arrivals and departures in future years,” said Appleton Airport Director Abe Weber.
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