Air travel still not back to pre-pandemic levels

Wisconsin passenger volume on commercial flights increased in 2021 but has continued to lag behind pre-pandemic levels and the rest of the nation, according to a recent analysis by Wisconsin Policy Forum. Airports in Milwaukee and Madison remained farther behind 2019 levels than smaller airports in the state.

At Wisconsin’s eight airports that provide commercial air service, passenger numbers for domestic flights increased more than 78% in 2021, after they plummeted by 62% in 2020. That rebound still left passenger levels nearly 32% lower in 2021 than in 2019, compared to a nearly 25% decline seen nationally.