General Mitchell International Airport Guide

IATA MKEICAO KMKEMilwaukeeUpdated 2026-08-29
Local time
––

Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport sits 9 km south of downtown Milwaukee on Milwaukee County land the county has owned since 1926. Commercial service began in 1927 when Northwest Airlines launched flights to Chicago and Minneapolis. The airport covers 2,314 acres and operates five runways, making it the largest commercial airport in Wisconsin.

The terminal connects to two active concourses — C and D — with 38 gates combined. Southwest Airlines and United Airlines anchor Concourse C, while Delta, American, Alaska, Frontier, JetBlue, and Spirit operate from Concourse D. A Concourse E redevelopment project broke ground in September 2025 to add a new international concourse. The airport hosts a General Mitchell Air National Guard Base on its eastern grounds.

MKE drew 6.3 million passengers in 2024, a 5% increase year-on-year. It offers nonstop service to more than 30 destinations across the continental US, with seasonal international flights to Mexico and the Caribbean. Chicago O'Hare lies roughly 120 km to the south, and MKE serves as an alternative gateway for travelers from northern Illinois seeking shorter security lines and lower fares.

Services

5 of 6 available

Compare 40 listed options at General Mitchell International Airport, spanning parking, car rentals, lounges, hotels and shuttles. Each guide sets out locations, distance from the airport, key features and links to book direct, so you can weigh cost against convenience before you fly. Select a service below to see every provider we track for General Mitchell International Airport.

Location

✈️

Key facts

Size
6.3M passengers (2024)5 runwaysopened 1927
Location
42.947, -87.897
Operator
Milwaukee County

Terminals

2 terminals

General Mitchell International Airport has 2 passenger terminalsMain Terminal / Concourse C and Main Terminal / Concourse D, handling both international and domestic flights for around 9 airlines. Check which terminal your airline uses before you travel, as check-in, security and boarding points differ between them, and moving from one to another can take time.

  • Main Terminal / Concourse CDomestic

    Southwest Airlines, United Airlines

    Concourses Concourse C

  • Main Terminal / Concourse DMixed

    Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, Alaska Airlines, Frontier Airlines, JetBlue, Spirit Airlines, Sun Country Airlines

    Concourses Concourse D

Nearby cities

4 cities

General Mitchell International Airport is closest to Milwaukee (9 km north), and also serves Racine, Waukesha and other nearby areas. With 4 towns and cities within reach, it is a practical gateway for the wider region. Distances shown are straight-line from the airport, so allow extra time for road transfers, traffic and parking.

  • Milwaukee9 km north
  • Racine32 km south
  • Waukesha40 km northwest
  • Chicago120 km south

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the airport codes for General Mitchell International Airport?

General Mitchell International Airport uses the following codes: IATA: MKE, ICAO: KMKE. These codes are used by airlines, pilots, and travel systems to identify the airport.

Where is General Mitchell International Airport located?

General Mitchell International Airport is located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States. The airport coordinates are 42.9472°, -87.8966°.

What services are available at General Mitchell International Airport?

General Mitchell International Airport offers: 4 parking options, 9 car rental companies, 2 lounges, 20 nearby hotels, 5 shuttle services, public transport connections. Click on each service type above to view detailed information.

Help us improve this page

Found outdated information or know about a service we're missing? Let us know!

Suggest page updates →