Jump to content

Appleton International Airport

Coordinates: 44°15′29″N 088°31′09″W / 44.25806°N 88.51917°W / 44.25806; -88.51917
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Appleton International Airport
Summary
Airport typePublic
Owner/OperatorOutagamie County & Winnebago County
ServesAppleton, Wisconsin/Fox Cities
LocationGreenville, Wisconsin
OpenedAugust 22, 1965; 59 years ago (1965-08-22)
Operating base for
Time zoneCST (UTC−06:00)
 • Summer (DST)CDT (UTC−05:00)
Elevation AMSL918 ft / 280 m
Coordinates44°15′29″N 088°31′09″W / 44.25806°N 88.51917°W / 44.25806; -88.51917
WebsiteATWairport.com
Maps
FAA airport diagram
FAA airport diagram
ATW is located in Wisconsin
ATW
ATW
Location of airport in Wisconsin
ATW is located in the United States
ATW
ATW
ATW (the United States)
Map
Runways
Direction Length Surface
ft m
03/21 8,003 2,439 Concrete
12/30 6,502 1,982 Concrete
Statistics (12 months ending September 2024 except where noted)
Passenger volume1,031,000
Departing passengers518,000
Scheduled flights7,301
Cargo (lb.)14 mil
Aircraft operations (2022)49,384
Based aircraft (2024)74

Appleton International Airport (IATA: ATW, ICAO: KATW, FAA LID: ATW), formerly Outagamie County Regional Airport,[4] is an airport located in Greenville, Wisconsin, United States, 3 nautical miles (5.6 km; 3.5 mi) west of Appleton.[2] It is included in the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems for 2025–2029. Along with Madison’s Dane County Regional Airport, it is one of two airports in the State of Wisconsin categorized as a small hub.[5][6] The airport covers 1,638 acres (6.63 km2) at an elevation of 918 feet (280 m) above sea level.[2][7]

It is the third busiest of eight commercial airports in Wisconsin in terms of passengers served.[3] In 2016 the airport contributed $676 million to the Northeastern Wisconsin economy.[8][9] In May 2018, Appleton International Airport was the fourth fastest growing airport in the US.[10] It is the main base of privately owned regional airline Air Wisconsin and was the original home of Midwest Airlines. Midwest Airlines grew out of Kimberly-Clark subsidiary K-C Aviation, which was sold in 1998 to Gulfstream Aerospace,[11][12] which retains a major facility at the airport, focusing on maintenance, interior completions, and exterior painting for the company's G600, G650, and G700 products.

The airport attracts people heading back and forth between the EAA's AirVenture, Air Academy and other programs in nearby Oshkosh. Starting in 2017, the airport began to offer camping for AirVenture.[13] Appleton International is also used for people heading to events at Lambeau Field in nearby Green Bay, most popularly Green Bay Packers games.[14][15]

History

[edit]

The airport opened with the 5,200-foot (1,580 m) runway 12/30 in 1965.

In the 1920s, Appleton's airport was George A. Whiting Field,[16] three miles (5 km) south of town. When Northwest was awarded Contract Airmail Route No. 9 in 1926, Whiting Field became one of the original six airports in the airline's route network. Passenger service on Northwest began in 1928 but was short-lived. By 1936 the municipal airport had opened northeast of town on the south side of US 41, southeast of the intersection (44°17′15″N 88°22′30″W / 44.2874°N 88.3749°W / 44.2874; -88.3749). At its closing, it had a 3,750-foot (1,140 m) paved runway; North Central DC-3s landed there after 1958–59.[citation needed]

Construction of the current facility began in 1963; the field was dedicated on August 22, 1965, along with Air Wisconsin, which started operations out of the airport the next day.[17]

Recent years

[edit]

Since 2009, the airport has been completing a number of renovation projects under a PFC plan. Parts of the project already completed include rehabilitating runway 12/30 and taxiway B as well as expanding taxiway N and installing runway guard lights throughout the field.[18] In January 2017, a new rental car facility opened across from the terminal building.[19][20][21][18]

In December 2017, the airport started a project to remodel the terminal with the addition of meeting space, a brand new restaurant with airfield views, remodeled/expanded security area, and remodeled check-in area.[21][22]

Furthermore the airport is currently studying the construction of adding additional gates either through expanding the airport's current concourse or building a second concourse.[23][24]

In 2011, the airport was one of ten nationwide airports selected to participate in an FAA airport sustainability project with a goal to make the airport 70% more energy efficient by 2030. In 2017, the airport constructed solar carports (covered parking structure with solar panels on the roof) in the short-term parking lot. Additional solar carports were constructed and completed in October 2019.[25] The solar carports supplement a system of solar panels installed on the roof of the terminal building which were installed in the early 2010s.[26][27]

The Appleton Flight Center Terminal, which was constructed in 2013, is a LEED-certified facility and features zero VOC finishes, a roof-mounted 26 kW photovoltaic system, a ground source heat pump, in-floor radiant conditioning, and a rainwater collection system.[27] The terminal was the nation’s first airport terminal to achieve a net zero energy designation, receiving a Class D Net Zero Energy Building rating and is widely considered to be a leader in airport energy sustainability.[28]

The Outagamie County Board rejected a proposal in 1983 to change the name to "Fox Cities Metro Airport," and three more name change efforts failed between 2003 and 2011.[29] In February 2014, the county board voted to rename the airport "Appleton International Airport."[30] The new name was officially implemented in 2015 on August 21, during the golden anniversary celebration of the airport.[4]

Since the late 2010s, the airport has seen a period of mass growth. In May 2018 a report by Bloomberg News revealed that Appleton International Airport was the fourth fastest-growing airport in the US, with a 26.8% increase in passengers compared to two years prior.[10] In 2022, the airport handled just under 830,000 passengers, the most in its history.[3] In March 2024, the airport handled 100,800 passengers, its busiest month to date.[31]

On August 10, 2021, Allegiant Air announced that they would base Airbus A320 aircraft at the airport beginning March 2, 2022. They will also open a crew/maintenance base to support these aircraft.[32]

In November 2023, the airport began work on a major multi-phase expansion of the terminal that will nearly double the size of the terminal. The project will add four additional gates designed to handle Embraer E-Jet, Boeing 737, or Airbus A320 family aircraft.[33] The check-in/ticketing hall and passenger loading areas will also be expanded as well as the addition of a new international arrivals building will occur in later phases.[34][35] The $66 million project is expected to be completed in the spring of 2025.[36][37][38]

In August 2024, there were 74 aircraft based at this airport: 50 single-engine, 17 multi-engine and 7 jets.

Facilities

[edit]
Main Gulfstream ramp at airport

Runways

[edit]
Tower and Gulfstream hangar

Appleton International Airport has 2 runways that are perpendicular to one another forming an X shape.[2] All taxiways are equipped with LED taxiway edge lighting and all entrances to runways have runway guard lights.

Runways at ATW[2]
Runway Length / width Runway Surface Notes
3 → 8,003 by 150 ft
2,439 by 46 m
← 21 Concrete Runway 3/21 is equipped with high intensity runway edge lighting. Both equipped with a PAPI system.
RWY 3 has an ILS/DME Cat 1 Approach
Both have certified GPS approaches capable of LPV precision allowing for approaches similar to an ILS.
12 → 6,502 by 150 ft
1,982 by 46 m
← 30 Concrete Runway 12/30 is equipped with high intensity runway edge lighting. Both equipped with a PAPI system.
RWY 30 has a ILS/DME Cat 1 Approach : Both have certified GPS approaches capable of LPV precision.

Terminal

[edit]

The terminal was built in 1974, with expansions in 1983, 1990, and 1998.[39]

The airport added a new ground-level seven-gate concourse in 2000 and renovated the existing passenger terminal, which was designed by architect Paul W. Powers. The architectural theme was representative of the river flowing through the historic paper manufacturing region.

The terminal underwent its most extensive renovation and expansion to date in 2001. The new 30,000-square-foot (2,800 m2) gate area included more spacious seating areas with natural lighting, in floor heating, new passenger paging system, and five aircraft boarding bridges; a 6th bridge for larger planes was added later.[40] It cost $10.7 million and was designed by Mead & Hunt, Inc.

The airport's main entrance at CTH CA features a complete reproduction of the Apollo 11 statue located in the Moon Tree Garden of the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. It was donated to the airport in 2020 by local car salesmen giant John Bergstrom.[41]

The terminal has eight gates currently in use: seven with jet bridges–which are numbered 3 through 7, 7b, and 8–and one for tarmac entry, numbered 8b. Most of the gates are designed to hold 2 regional jets. Gates 1 and 2 are not frequently used due to their close proximity to the main terminal building and the resulting difficulty maneuvering aircraft in those tight spaces.[42]

In November 2023, the airport began work on a major multi-phase expansion of the terminal that will nearly double the size of the terminal and add four additional gates.[33]

Ground transportation

[edit]

Appleton International Airport is located 2 miles (3.2 km) west of Interstate 41 and 3 miles (4.8 km) north of US Highway 10.

Valley Transit bus service does not have a stop servicing the airport, but there are stops nearby.

Vehicle for hire companies including Uber, Lyft, and taxicabs are allowed to pick up and drop off passengers on airport property.[43][44]

Six car rental companies offer service at the airport out of a consolidated rental car facility across from the terminal.[45]

Other

[edit]

The airport has an FBO, Appleton Flight Center, which offers AvGas and jet fuel, as well as a number of other resources such as a crew car and WiFi.[46]

ATW holds the Old Glory Honor Flights for the Northeast Wisconsin area. These flights bring veterans from World War II and the Korean War to see their memorials in Washington.[47] The airport has hosted many community events to raise money for these flights, including a plane pull event in September 2017.[48] The flights are flown by Sun Country Airlines.

The airport, along with Allegiant Air, hosts a bi-annual event called "Wings for Autism". The event allows children on the autism spectrum, along with their parents, to go through a rehearsal flight in which they practice checking in for their flight, going through airport security, boarding their flight, and collecting checked baggage. The event is sponsored by many local organizations and companies.[49][50] It is one of the largest versions of the event held nationally.

Every April, the airport celebrates autism awareness month by lighting the terminal blue.[51]

The airport is home to the Fox Cities Composite Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol, which houses a fleet of Cessna 182s at the airport.[52]

Airlines and destinations

[edit]

Passenger

[edit]
AirlinesDestinationsRefs
Allegiant Air Denver,[53] Fort Lauderdale,[53] Las Vegas, Nashville, Newark,[54] Orlando/Sanford, Phoenix/Mesa, Punta Gorda (FL), Sarasota,[53] St. Petersburg/Clearwater
Seasonal: Portland (OR),[55] Savannah[56]
[57]
American Eagle Charlotte, Chicago–O'Hare, Dallas/Fort Worth
Seasonal: Phoenix–Sky Harbor (begins February 15, 2025)[58]
Delta Air Lines Seasonal: Atlanta, Minneapolis/St. Paul [59]
Delta Connection Detroit, Minneapolis/St. Paul
Seasonal: Atlanta
[59]
United Express Chicago–O'Hare, Denver [60]

Cargo operations

[edit]
AirlinesDestinationsRefs
FedEx Express Bloomington/Normal, Memphis
Seasonal: Indianapolis, Madison, Milwaukee
[61]
Freight Runners Express Green Bay, Milwaukee
PACC Air Marquette, Rhinelander

Statistics

[edit]

Carrier shares

[edit]
Carrier shares (October 2023 – September 2024)[3]
Carrier Passengers (arriving and departing)
SkyWest Airlines
386,000(37.48%)
Allegiant
377,000(36.56%)
Air Wisconsin
100,000(9.72%)
Envoy Air
74,690(7.25%)
Delta
62,840(6.10%)
Other
29,950(2.91%)

Top destinations

[edit]
Busiest domestic routes from ATW (October 2023 – September 2024)[3]
Rank Airport Passengers Carriers
1 Chicago–O'Hare, Illinois 133,580 American, United
2 Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota 60,840 Delta
3 Detroit, Michigan 47,430 Delta
4 Denver, Colorado 35,930 Allegiant, United
5 Atlanta, Georgia 33,210 Delta
6 Phoenix/Mesa, Arizona 29,590 Allegiant
7 Orlando/Sanford, Florida 27,370 Allegiant
8 Clearwater, Florida 24,050 Allegiant
9 Punta Gorda, Florida 23,610 Allegiant
10 Las Vegas, Nevada 21,260 Allegiant

Annual traffic

[edit]
Appleton Airport passengers served 1999–2023 (hundred thousands)[62][3]

For the twelve-month period ending December 31, 2022, the airport had 49,384 aircraft operations, an average of 135 per day: 65% general aviation, 20% air taxi, 15% commercial airline and less than 1% military.[63]

Accidents and incidents

[edit]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Allegiant Announces New Aircraft And Crew Bases In Appleton, Wisconsin and Flint, Michigan". Retrieved August 10, 2021.
  2. ^ a b c d e FAA Airport Form 5010 for ATW PDF, effective August 8, 2024.
  3. ^ a b c d e f "Appleton International (ATW) Summary Statistics". Retrieved December 12, 2024.
  4. ^ a b "Outagamie County airport goes international".
  5. ^ "NPIAS Report 2025-2029 Appendix A" (PDF). Federal Aviation Administration. October 28, 2024. Retrieved November 11, 2024.
  6. ^ "Preliminary CY 2020 Enplanements at Commercial Service Airports, Rank Order" (PDF). Federal Aviation Administration. June 4, 2021. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 23, 2021. Retrieved September 11, 2021.
  7. ^ "ATW airport data at skyvector.com". skyvector.com. Retrieved September 18, 2022.
  8. ^ "Airport's economic impact tops $265 million". Press Gazette Media. Retrieved September 21, 2017. Appleton generated $676 million in local impact
  9. ^ "Economic Impact - Appleton International Airport (ATW)". Appleton International Airport (ATW). Archived from the original on September 22, 2017. Retrieved September 22, 2017.
  10. ^ a b "These Are America's Fastest-Growing Airports". Bloomberg.com. May 31, 2018. Archived from the original on May 31, 2018. Retrieved June 4, 2018.
  11. ^ "COMPANY NEWS; GULFSTREAM BUYING KIMBERLY-CLARK AVIATION UNIT". New York Times. July 25, 1998. Archived from the original on May 27, 2015. Retrieved August 4, 2016.
  12. ^ "Gulfstream buys air services firm". Rome News-Tribune. (Georgia). Bloomberg. July 26, 1998. p. 2E.
  13. ^ "Appleton International Airport offering camping sites during EAA AirVenture". Fox 11. February 18, 2017. Archived from the original on August 17, 2017. Retrieved May 8, 2017.
  14. ^ Ryman, Richard (April 27, 2016). "Green Bay has few options for visiting NFL teams". Packers News. Green Bay, Wisconsin. Retrieved September 18, 2016.
  15. ^ Maureen, Wallenfang (August 20, 2015). "Radisson expects to continue hosting NFL teams". Post Crescent. Appleton, Wisconsin: Gannet. Retrieved September 18, 2016.
  16. ^ "Appleton Airport History". Outigamie Airport. Archived from the original on August 8, 2014. Retrieved July 21, 2014.
  17. ^ "History - Appleton International Airport (ATW)". Appleton International Airport (ATW). Archived from the original on January 6, 2018. Retrieved January 6, 2018.
  18. ^ a b "Notice of Passenger Facility Charge - Appleton International Airport (ATW)". Appleton International Airport (ATW). Archived from the original on February 15, 2018. Retrieved February 14, 2018.
  19. ^ "Miron Construction starts work on new car rental facility at Appleton International Airport". miron-construction.com. Appleton. July 12, 2016. Archived from the original on September 18, 2016. Retrieved September 11, 2016.
  20. ^ "Appleton International Airport breaks ground on new car rental facility". Associated Press./WLUK. June 22, 2016. Archived from the original on June 23, 2016. Retrieved June 23, 2016 – via WLUK FOX 11.
  21. ^ a b "Appleton Airport to build new rental car facility". USA Today. June 22, 2016. Retrieved June 23, 2016 – via Post Crescent.
  22. ^ Schuller, Kris (December 2, 2017). "Improvements underway at Appleton International Airport". WEAREGREENBAY. Archived from the original on January 6, 2018. Retrieved January 6, 2018.
  23. ^ Mueller, Chris. "Appleton International Airport to get more than $2.6 million in federal grants". The Post-Crescent. Retrieved October 7, 2020.
  24. ^ "WisDOT Airport Improvement Program" (PDF). Retrieved October 7, 2020.
  25. ^ County, Outagamie (October 8, 2019). "PROPERTY, AIRPORT RECREATION & ECONOMOC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE TUESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2019". Outagamie County. Retrieved February 27, 2020.
  26. ^ Behr, Madeleine (April 22, 2017). "Fox Cities Notebook | Solar tech at airport". Post-Crescent Media. Retrieved May 9, 2017.
  27. ^ a b "LEED Case Study - Platinum Flight Center". Platinum Flight Center. Archived from the original on January 6, 2018. Retrieved January 6, 2018.
  28. ^ "USGBC's report reveals transportation industry embraces sustainability". RE Journal. October 31, 2017. Archived from the original on January 6, 2018. Retrieved January 6, 2018.
  29. ^ "Outagamie County will wait a year before airport gets Appleton moniker | Post-Crescent Media | postcrescent.com". Archived from the original on December 16, 2014. Retrieved March 26, 2014.
  30. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on March 27, 2014. Retrieved March 26, 2014.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  31. ^ Voight, Sophia (April 30, 2024). "Appleton International Airport has busiest month ever in March 2024". Post-Crescent Media. Retrieved August 13, 2024.
  32. ^ Behnke, Duke; Prinsen, Jake (August 10, 2021). "Allegiant Air will invest $50 million to establish aircraft base at Appleton International Airport". The Post-Crescent. Retrieved August 10, 2021.
  33. ^ a b Kaster, Ashley; Meyer, Brady (November 29, 2023). "Appleton International Airport embarks on $66 million expansion to double its size". Retrieved December 17, 2023.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  34. ^ Voight, Sophia (November 29, 2023). "5 changes travelers can expect from the $66M Appleton airport expansion". Retrieved December 17, 2023.
  35. ^ "OUTAGAMIE COUNTY CIP 2023-2027". Retrieved December 17, 2023.
  36. ^ Perez, Geno (August 8, 2024). "Appleton International Airport will double in size with new expansion". spectrumnews1.com. Retrieved August 13, 2024.
  37. ^ Allen, Mallory (August 7, 2024). "Appleton airport expansion on track for phased completion in spring 2025". WLUK. Retrieved August 13, 2024.
  38. ^ Carr-Gloth, Avi (August 7, 2024). "Appleton airport continues expansion, aims to open new gates in March". WGBA NBC 26 in Green Bay. Retrieved August 13, 2024.
  39. ^ Mullins, Robert (October 10, 1999). "Appleton Airport Awaits Funding for Expansion". Milwaukee Business Journal. Archived from the original on July 14, 2014. Retrieved June 13, 2012.
  40. ^ "Outagamie County Airport Retires Bonds - Terminal is Debt Free". Archived from the original on July 14, 2014.
  41. ^ Wallenfang, Maureen. "Appleton airport gets sculpture commemorating moon landing at center of new roundabout". The Post-Crescent. Retrieved October 7, 2020.
  42. ^ "Terminal Map". Appleton International Airport (ATW).
  43. ^ "Uber rides are OK at Appleton airport". Post-Crescent Media. Archived from the original on January 9, 2018. Retrieved January 8, 2018.
  44. ^ "Taxi, Lyft, Uber - Appleton International Airport (ATW)". Appleton International Airport (ATW). Archived from the original on January 9, 2018. Retrieved January 8, 2018.
  45. ^ "Rental Cars - Appleton International Airport (ATW)". Appleton International Airport (ATW). Archived from the original on January 9, 2018. Retrieved January 8, 2018.
  46. ^ "APPLETON INTL AIRPORT (APPLETON, WI) ATW OVERVIEW AND FBOS". FlightAware. Retrieved November 4, 2022.
  47. ^ "(Old Glory Honor Flights)". Archived from the original on July 9, 2014. Retrieved July 10, 2014.
  48. ^ "Plane Pull benefits Old Glory Honor Flight". Archived from the original on September 22, 2017. Retrieved September 22, 2017.
  49. ^ "Wings for Autism - Appleton International Airport (ATW)". Appleton International Airport (ATW). Archived from the original on September 22, 2017. Retrieved September 22, 2017.
  50. ^ "Wings for Autism - Autism Society of the Fox Valley". Autism Society of the Fox Valley. Archived from the original on September 22, 2017. Retrieved September 22, 2017.
  51. ^ "Appleton airport goes blue for autism awareness". Archived from the original on September 22, 2017. Retrieved September 22, 2017.
  52. ^ "Civil Air Patrol (CAP) - Appleton International Airport (ATW)". Appleton International Airport (ATW). Archived from the original on September 22, 2017. Retrieved September 22, 2017.
  53. ^ a b c Star, Brad. "Allegiant Air announces new, direct flights from Appleton to Colorado, Florida". Retrieved December 7, 2021.
  54. ^ "Allegiant announces twelve new routes with one-way fares as low as $49". Cision PR Newswire. November 16, 2023. Retrieved November 16, 2023.
  55. ^ Bollier, Jeff (February 20, 2023). "Allegiant expands Appleton schedule with flights to Pacific Northwest". Retrieved February 20, 2023.
  56. ^ "Allegiant Announces Major Service Expansion With 34 New Nonstop Routes, Plus Nine Special Limited Routes For Sturgis Rally 2021 | Allegiant Travel Company". ir.allegiantair.com.
  57. ^ "Allegiant Interactive Route Map". Archived from the original on July 17, 2017. Retrieved March 7, 2018.
  58. ^ https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/241210-aafeb25
  59. ^ a b "FLIGHT SCHEDULES". Archived from the original on June 21, 2015. Retrieved January 7, 2017.
  60. ^ "Timetable". Archived from the original on January 28, 2017. Retrieved January 7, 2017.
  61. ^ "ATW Tenants". Appleton International Airport. Archived from the original on September 5, 2015. Retrieved September 12, 2015.
  62. ^ "Passenger Boarding (Enplanement) and All-Cargo Data for U.S. Airports". Federal Aviation Administration. August 31, 2023. Retrieved March 15, 2024.
  63. ^ "AirNav: KATW – Appleton International Airport". AirNav.com. Retrieved September 11, 2023.
  64. ^ "Aircraft Accident Report North Central Airlines, Inc. Allison Convair 340/440ICV-580, N90858 and Air ,Wisconsin Inc., DHC-6, N4043B near Appleton, Wisconsin June 29, 1972" (PDF). National Transportation Safety Board. April 25, 1973. Archived (PDF) from the original on February 18, 2012. Retrieved March 13, 2016.
  65. ^ "ASN". Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved November 4, 2022.
  66. ^ Caplan, David (December 23, 2016). "Plane Carrying Minnesota Vikings Slides off Wisconsin Taxiway Leaving Players Stranded for Hours". ABC News. Greenville: American Broadcasting Company. Archived from the original on December 26, 2016. Retrieved December 27, 2016.
  67. ^ Zettel, Jen (December 24, 2016). "Vikings stranded on plane for hours". The Post-Crescent. Gannett Media. Archived from the original on September 15, 2019. Retrieved December 27, 2016.
  68. ^ "Vikings stranded on plane for hours". USA Today. December 24, 2016. Archived from the original on November 7, 2017. Retrieved October 31, 2017.
  69. ^ "Boeing 717-200, N963AT: Incident occurred August 13, 2022, at Appleton International Airport (KATW), Outagamie County, Wisconsin". Kathryn's Report. Retrieved November 4, 2022.
  70. ^ Smith, Paul (February 5, 2023). "SOAR volunteers help safely capture and relocate snowy owls and other birds at airports". The Post-Crescent. Gannett. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved February 5, 2023.
[edit]