Wisconsin ranks 30th nationwide for holiday season airport traffic shifts
Wisconsin ranks 30th nationwide for seasonal airport traffic shifts, measured from the Friday prior to Thanksgiving through the Monday after, as well as from the Friday before Christmas through January 2nd. During the winter holidays, daily passenger traffic at Wisconsin airports experiences a 3.0% increase compared to the rest of the year.
As the holiday season approaches, millions of travelers prepare to pack their bags and head to the skies, making this one of the busiest times of the year for air travel. Airports across the United States experience a significant surge in passenger traffic, with some hubs seeing more dramatic increases than others. Whether travelers are visiting family, heading for a vacation, or flying for business, the peak holiday season creates a challenge for both airports and airlines to manage the spike in demand.
In response to rising air travel demand, aging aviation infrastructure, and critical funding gaps, the Airport Infrastructure Grant (AIG) program has provided $14.5 billion in funding over five years to support terminal expansions, baggage system upgrades, runway enhancements, and air traffic infrastructure improvements. As air travel remains near record highs—including the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) screening nearly 3.1 million passengers in a single day in November of 2025—these investments will help airports better handle surges in traffic during the busy holiday season.
Todd Coppernoll oversees local news for WRCO and WRCE radio in Richland Center. Having served Richland Center as Mayor for three terms, Todd brings a unique perspective, and a familiar voice to the news. The focus is local, and so is the reporter.
Adam Hess has been involved in radio broadcasting since 1990, with many of those years spent on the air at WRCO FM in Richland Center. Currently, Adam hosts the Weekend Wake-up and Prime Mover Saturdays on WRCO FM, jumps in and helps out with news duties, handles Social Media duties for WRCO and WRCE, and is the Director of Technology at a Southwest Wisconsin School District. Reach him at adam.hess@civicmedia.us.