Mitchell Airport Staying Open During Storm As Airlines Offer Waivers

MILWAUKEE, WI — Milwaukee's General Mitchell International Airport is open and will remain open throughout the winter storm, the airport said Thursday morning, though some airlines are issuing optional flight waivers for travelers who may need to make changes.

The airline waivers come amid the potential for a bomb cyclone weather system. The National Weather Service for Milwaukee/Sullivan on Thursday morning forecast an 87 percent chance of 2 inches of snow or more for much of Milwaukee County by Friday. In Waukesha the chances were closer to 81 percent.

In most cases, a waiver means tickets can be changed for another date without an extra fee. Airlines are continuing to update information on their websites as forecasts become more precise. Be sure to check the specific language on the airlines’ website about travel waivers and what travel dates are available for rebooking.

About 7.2 million people are expected to fly to their holiday destinations over the next several days.

Milwaukee Mitchell Airport on Thursday said it will remain open through the storm aside from brief closures to keep the active runway clear. The airport said passengers should keep in touch with their airline for the latest flight status.

You can also check Mitchell Airport flights through the airport's website.

Here's what you should know about the airline waivers:

Southwest Airlines, headquartered in Dallas, has issued winter weather waivers in the Rocky Mountains, Midwest, East and Northeast regions.

United Airlines, headquartered in Chicago, is offering winter waivers in the Midwest, Texas, the East Coast, and for the Central and Northwest U.S.

The United Midwest waivers affect about 30 airports, and are good on tickets purchased by Saturday. Dec. 17, for travel from Dec. 21-25.

About 50 airports are affected on the East Coast, and the waivers apply for tickets purchased by Sunday, Dec. 18, for travel between Dec. 22-25.

Related: Massive Holiday Storm Could Bring Bomb Cyclone, Blizzards To U.S.

American Airlines, which is headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas, is offering waivers for about 30 airports in the Midwest and another 30 in the Northeast.

More information is found on the airline’s website.

JetBlue, the Queens, New York-based discount carrier, has offered waivers to people changing flights in or out of airports in Chicago, Kansas City, Milwaukee, and Minneapolis/St. Paul.

Spirit Airlines, another discount carrier based in Miramar, Florida, said it would issue winter weather waivers on travel to and from about 18 airports in the Midwest and Northeast.

Delta, based in Atlanta, is offering waivers for travel in and out of about a dozen airports in the Northwest and Mountain Region.

Alaska Airlines, based in the Seattle metro area, had issued waivers on flights to and from Seattle.

Airlines are continuing to update information on their websites as forecasts become more precise. Be sure to check the specific language on the airlines’ website about travel waivers and what travel dates are available for rebooking.