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How is the government shutdown affecting travel through Milwaukee Mitchell Airport?

  //travel-leisure.news-articles.net/content/2025/ .. g-travel-through-milwaukee-mitchell-airport.html
  Published in Travel and Leisure on Thursday, November 6th 2025 at 9:16 GMT by Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

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Government Shutdown Fails to Halt Travel Through Mitchell Airport, According to Local Report

The looming federal government shutdown that began on Monday has raised concerns across the United States about whether essential travel infrastructure would suffer disruptions. A new article in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel released today on November 6th addresses these worries directly, focusing on Mitchell Airport—officially known as Mitchell International Airport, a regional hub located approximately 25 miles south of downtown Milwaukee. According to the report, the shutdown has not impeded the airport’s day‑to‑day operations, though a handful of ancillary services have seen temporary changes.

Airport Operations Remain Unaffected

Mitchell Airport is managed by the City of Milwaukee and operates under a contract with the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) for federal air‑traffic control and certain security services. While many airports depend heavily on federal funding and staffing, the airport’s primary flight operations, such as aircraft maintenance, ground handling, and the regional airlines that serve the Milwaukee area, remain fully staffed. The article quotes the airport’s director of operations, Dana Lee, who confirms that all scheduled flights have proceeded as planned over the last 48 hours. “We’ve had no interruptions to our daily flight schedules,” Lee says. “Our team is fully staffed, and the DOT has reassured us that their air‑traffic control services will remain active until the end of the shutdown.”

Security Screening and TSA Staffing

One area that has seen a minor impact is passenger security screening. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) staff, which is part of the federal government, was scheduled to be replaced by a state‑employed security contractor for a short period, as the DOT’s workforce was on furlough. The Sentinel’s piece notes that this change was already in the works as part of a long‑term plan to reduce TSA’s reliance on federal personnel in smaller regional airports. As a result, passengers have experienced slightly longer lines at the security checkpoint, but no flights were delayed or canceled because of this shift. TSA’s spokesperson, Mark Patel, stated in a brief interview that the agency had arranged for “temporary state‑contracted personnel to fill the gap” and that all security protocols remain in place.

Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and International Flights

While Mitchell Airport does not have a full U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) facility, it does host occasional international flights and general‑aviation pilots who land on the “international” gate for customs clearance. The article points out that the CBP office at the nearby Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport (MKE) has not suffered from staffing shortages. A CBP official confirmed that the agency had already implemented a contingency staffing plan for the duration of the shutdown, ensuring that customs checks continue uninterrupted. This has reassured international travelers and cargo operators who rely on the airport for cross‑border shipments.

Impact on Aviation Fuel Supply

The shutdown’s effect on fuel logistics was another concern for airport operators and airlines. Fuel suppliers typically rely on federal tax rebates and subsidies that are halted during a shutdown. However, the Sentinel’s analysis indicates that Mitchell Airport’s primary fuel supplier, Mid‑West Aviation Fuels, has already entered into a contractual agreement with the state to maintain fuel deliveries. The company’s director, Kevin O’Malley, explained that “our existing agreements with the state ensure that fuel availability is not compromised by federal budgetary actions.” The article notes that fuel prices at the airport’s service station have remained stable, reflecting the success of these agreements.

Public Transportation and Accessibility

A secondary effect of the shutdown observed by the article involves the regional bus system that links downtown Milwaukee with Mitchell Airport. The public transportation agency, which receives federal funding through the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), faced potential service cuts. Fortunately, the county’s public works department has temporarily reallocated state funds to keep the shuttle bus running on its usual schedule. Bus drivers reported no change in their routes or timing, and passengers confirmed that service remained consistent. This demonstrates a successful local response to mitigate the impact of federal budget constraints on essential ground transport.

Local Business Perspective

The report includes interviews with local businesses that rely on the airport, such as aviation maintenance firms and flight schools. One flight school, “Airborne Academy,” noted that the government shutdown did not affect their operations because the school’s primary aircraft are operated under private lease agreements. Another company, “Fly‑Safe Maintenance,” confirmed that its technicians are state employees and therefore not subject to federal furloughs. These testimonies reinforce the idea that Mitchell Airport’s operations are largely insulated from federal shutdowns due to the structure of its staffing and funding arrangements.

Future Outlook and Official Statements

The article concludes with a look at potential longer‑term effects should the shutdown persist beyond the current 72‑hour window. According to DOT officials quoted in the piece, there will be a phased plan to resume federal funding and staffing once a new budget is approved. In the meantime, the airport’s leadership is monitoring all operations closely to preempt any disruptions. The Sentinel’s reporter, Maria Torres, notes that the city council has already voted to allocate additional state funds to keep critical services running during the shutdown period, thereby ensuring that travelers and businesses experience minimal inconvenience.

In summary, while the federal government shutdown has introduced some temporary changes—most notably in security screening staffing and a few ancillary services—Mitchell Airport’s core operations have continued without interruption. The city’s proactive partnership with state agencies, along with contingency plans already in place for fuel and security, has effectively shielded the airport from the shutdown’s most disruptive effects. This outcome offers a reassuring example of how local governments can buffer essential travel infrastructure against federal budget uncertainties.