Southwest Airlines will begin nonstop flights between Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport (MKE) and San Diego International Airport on October 2, expanding its service year-round five days a week. The new route, operated with full-size 737 aircraft, will depart daily in the afternoon.
Currently, there are no other direct flights between MKE and California. Southwest’s expansion demonstrates the importance of community support in convincing airlines to add new routes. By offering nonstop flights from MKE, the airline supports local jobs and boosts Wisconsin’s economy.
With this addition, Milwaukee Mitchell becomes Southwest’s largest carrier, offering nonstop flights to 17 destinations from the airport. The airline will also launch daily service to Austin on March 6 and expand its spring break offerings to Orlando, Tampa, Fort Myers, Cancun, and other Florida cities.
The airport has seen a surge in passenger traffic, with over 6.3 million passengers in 2024, up 5% from the previous year. While still below pre-pandemic levels, this marks the highest level of traffic at the airport since the COVID-19 pandemic began.
Source: https://biztimes.com/southwest-to-expand-service-between-milwaukee-and-san-diego