GREEN BAY (NBC 26) -- — The chilly temps outside are putting winter on everyone's minds. Luckily, it will be easier than ever to escape the Northeast Wisconsin Tundra come November.
Abe Weber, Director of Appleton International Airport, says the new American Airlines flight to Charlotte, North Carolina will be the Northeast Wisconsin's only nonstop to that city.
“Now in two hours you can be down enjoying yourself in a great cultural city with art, food, history," said Weber.
Directly from Charlotte, travelers can get to destinations like Florida, Mexico and the Caribbeans. The COVID-19 pandemic has challenged travelers worldwide, but the airport is optimistic about the future.
“When the days were darkest in April and May when there was a dozen people walking through the terminal every one of us continued to come in and support this airport," said Weber. “Our community is continuing to support our airport and continuing to fly from our airport.”
The daily traffic at the airport in the past few months has been 30 to 35 percent of what it was last year, according to Weber. Passenger loads are at 50 to 80 percent, he said. Thomas Nelson, Outagamie County Executive, believes the airport will keep rebounding and growing with this new flight.
“When I flew out of here 22 years ago when I was in college, that was a long time ago," said Nelson. "We didn’t go through this airport. Because there really wasn’t that much service. And what we have done in twenty years.”
Brian Hurley, Executive Vice President and Owner of Travel Leaders, says the airport is doing everything they can to stop the spread of COVID-19 and keep everyone safe.
“For those who have not traveled since March, we welcome you back," he said.
Just make sure when you're packing that bathing suit, you remember to bring your mask too.
