Milwaukee General Mitchell International Airport (MKE)
History, Facts and Overview

(Milwaukee, Wisconsin - WI, USA)

Originally known as the Hamilton Airfield and established in the early 1920s, the General Mitchell Airport was purchased by the Milwaukee County Board in 1926 as a replacement to the nearby Butler Airport of Currie Park. After converting a farmhouse into a terminal building, the airport opened in the summer of 1927 and was named the Milwaukee County Airport, providing passenger flights between cities such as Minneapolis and Chicago.

A new terminal building opened in 1941, the year that the airport was renamed after General William Mitchell, a local military brigadier. The 1950s saw much growth and by 1961, Boeing jet planes were becoming a common sight. During the 1970s, the terminal was extended at the cost of more than $40 million. For more information about the history of Milwaukee's General Mitchell Airport (MKE), pay a visit to the onsite museum, the Mitchell Gallery of Flight.


Essential facilities at Milwaukee's General Mitchell Airport include postal services, cash machines and a branch of the M&I Bank, which are located in the main terminal and in concourse E. Additionally, there is also a family room with facilities for babies, and a young children's play area. The food court has a number of eateries, including a Starbucks coffee shop and various snack bars, while shopping options feature a Harley-Davidson store, an outlet of Traveler' Aid, a pro golfing shop, bookstores and a newsagent.

There are conference rooms available for hire at General Mitchell Airport, along with business facilities situated at the northern end of the upper level atrium in Concourse C. In addition, Midwest Express Airlines have their own lounges at Milwaukee's airport, which come with conference rooms, Internet access and office facilities.