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December 16, 2024
APPLETON – After learning the 2025 NFL Draft was slated for April in Green Bay more than a year ago, Appleton International Airport (ATW) officials said they knew eventually that would lead to additional flights to the third busiest airport in the state.
Now with the draft less than six months away, ATW recently announced airlines serving the airport will be expanding service to accommodate visitors for the draft coming to Titletown April 24-26.
This is the first time the draft has come to Green Bay in the draft’s 88 years of existence.
In total, three airlines will add flights to ATW for the draft:
- American Airlines will add flights from Phoenix, Arizona (PHX), Dallas/Ft. Worth, Texas (DFW), and Charlotte, North Carolina (CLT).
- Delta Airlines will add an additional flight from Atlanta, Georgia (ATL).
- Allegiant Airlines will add new service to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (PIT), Providence, Rhode Island (PVD), and Canton/Akron, Ohio (CAK). They will also add to their existing Florida schedules for St. Petersburg/Clearwater, Orlando/Sanford, Punta Gorda, (PGD), Sarasota/Bradenton (SRQ) and Phoenix/Mesa, Arizona (AZA), New York/Newark (EWR), Las Vegas, Nevada (LAS), Denver, Colorado (DEN), and Nashville, Tennessee (BNA).
- In total, three flights will be added and 10 routes will be expanded for the draft.
“Our airline partners recognize the unique demand of this special event,” Airport Director Abe Weber said. “We’re excited to be part of this historic occasion and we can’t wait to welcome draft visitors to Northeast Wisconsin.”
The 2024 Draft in Detroit brought in an estimated 750,000 fans over the three-day event.
Weber said the major terminal expansion of the airport will be close to completion in time for the draft, with additional gates available for the increased air traffic.
He said the airport will have a total of eight or nine gates available for incoming and departing flights (10 gates will be open when the expansion is complete).
“This is significant because the expanded gates will allow us to serve more flights and larger airplanes,” he said. “We will also have additional rental cars and ground transportation available for the anticipated increase in travelers for the draft.”
The Fox Cities Convention and Visitors Bureau will be coordinating shuttle services from the Fox Valley to Green Bay with times and locations announced closer to the draft.
“We have a special opportunity to welcome the world to the Fox Valley,” Outagamie County Executive Thomas Nelson said. “The sheer size of the event means Appleton and the surrounding communities will feel a positive economic impact during draft week.”
Airport officials also remind area residents that if they are renting their primary residences during the draft, the airport offers affordable travel options to 19 nonstop destinations.
“Remember, airplanes travel in both directions,” Weber said. “If you’re planning on leaving Wisconsin during the draft, our airline partners have some great fares during this time.”
