MKE Concourse E Construction: 2026 Guide to Milwaukee's New International...

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The MKE Concourse E construction is a $95 million redevelopment project at Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport that will replace the outdated standalone International Arrivals Building with a new, connected international concourse offering 2 to 5 flexible-use gates. Construction began on September 16, 2025, with completion expected in 2027, per the Milwaukee County Aviation Department. As of October 2026, no parking facility closures have been identified — but travelers should verify current alerts before their trip. Off-site MKE parking near the airport starts at $5.50/day, well below on-airport daily rates.

• Groundbreaking: September 16, 2025 — construction is actively underway as of 2026.
• Total project cost: $95 million, funded through a mix of FAA grants, airport revenue, and bonding.
• Capacity leap: The new facility will process up to 400 international passengers per hour, up from just 140 per hour in the current building.
• Gate count: 2 to 5 flexible-use gates, each capable of handling domestic or international flights.
• Connection upgrade: The new concourse connects directly to the main terminal — no more walking to a separate building.
• Parking impact: No closures as of October 2026 (verified mitchellairport.com). Off-site lots from $5.50/day remain fully operational.

Compare MKE off-site parking rates from $5.50/day on Triply while Concourse E construction is underway.

What Is the MKE Concourse E Redevelopment Project?

The MKE Concourse E redevelopment is the largest single capital project in Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport's recent history. The project replaces the existing, aging International Arrivals Building — a standalone structure disconnected from the main terminal — with a modern, purpose-built international concourse. The new Concourse E will attach directly to the main terminal building, eliminating the awkward transit between facilities that international passengers currently experience.

The project is managed by the Milwaukee County Aviation Department. Findorff Construction is the general contractor, and Alliiance, a Minneapolis-based architecture firm with deep aviation experience, is the design partner. The new concourse will house U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) inspection facilities inside the building, consolidating the international arrival process in one connected location for the first time at MKE.

The new gates are designed as flexible-use, meaning they can handle domestic departures during off-peak international seasons. This is a significant operational upgrade. MKE's current layout dedicates separate infrastructure to international arrivals only, which sits idle during low-traffic periods. The new design maximizes utilization year-round.

When Will MKE Concourse E Construction Be Completed?

Based on timelines published by the Milwaukee County Aviation Department, Concourse E construction is expected to complete in 2027. The groundbreaking took place on September 16, 2025. Steel beam placement — a major structural milestone — was documented in early 2026 on the airport's official social channels, indicating the project is progressing on schedule.

Travelers flying internationally through MKE between now and 2027 will still use the current International Arrivals Building. That facility will close after the new concourse opens. There are no announced changes to departure procedures during the construction period. Verify the latest project status at mitchellairport.com before your trip, as timelines can shift.

Here is what is known about the construction timeline as of October 2026:

• September 16, 2025: Official groundbreaking ceremony.
• Early 2026: Steel beam structural milestone reached.
• 2026 (ongoing): Structural and systems work continuing — no parking closures reported.
• 2027 (expected): New Concourse E opens; current International Arrivals Building closes.

How Does the New Concourse E Improve International Arrivals at MKE?

The capacity difference is dramatic. According to airport project materials, the current International Arrivals Building processes approximately 140 international passengers per hour. The new Concourse E is designed to handle 400 passengers per hour — nearly three times the throughput. For a mid-size Midwest airport like MKE, that opens the door to more international routes and larger aircraft.

The physical connection to the main terminal is the other big win. Right now, arriving international passengers leave the main building to clear customs in the standalone facility, then re-enter the terminal. The new design integrates CBP inspection lanes inside a connected concourse, so the entire arrival experience — deplaning, customs, baggage, ground transport — happens in one building. This also means better access to the existing parking garage and shuttle connections without an extra outdoor transit step.

For travelers curious about how this fits into the overall terminal layout, the MKE airport terminal guide covers how Concourse C, Concourse D, and the new Concourse E relate to each other and where security checkpoints sit.

How Is the $95 Million MKE Concourse E Project Being Funded?

The total project cost is $95 million, funded through three sources: FAA Airport Terminals Program grants, airport revenue bonds, and Milwaukee County Aviation Department operational funds. The FAA committed an initial grant of $13.5 million, followed by an additional $8 million grant — bringing confirmed federal funding to $21.5 million. The remainder comes from airport bonding and revenue, according to project documentation reviewed from public sources including BizTimes Milwaukee.

The FAA Airport Terminals Program, created under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, specifically funds projects that modernize terminal facilities and improve passenger processing. MKE's application qualified based on the outdated capacity of the existing International Arrivals Building and the airport's role as a regional gateway serving southeastern Wisconsin and northern Illinois.

The project also supports 200-plus construction jobs, with Findorff Construction — a Wisconsin-based firm — leading the build. Projects of this scale typically include Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) goals as a condition of FAA funding, though specific DBE targets for this project should be verified with the Milwaukee County Aviation Department directly.

How Does MKE Concourse E Construction Affect Parking and Passenger Access?

As of October 2026, the Milwaukee County Aviation Department has not identified any parking facility closures tied to the Concourse E construction project (verified mitchellairport.com). All on-airport lots — the Saver Lot at $11/day, Daily Garage at $18/day, Surface Lot at $18/day, and Hourly Garage at $27/day — are operating normally. Valet parking at $28/day on the ticketing roadway is also unaffected.

That said, active construction zones can create temporary wayfinding changes, adjusted drop-off zones, or detour signage that shifts without much notice. Before driving to MKE, use the Waze live traffic map to check for any access road changes near the terminal. Give yourself a few extra minutes during the construction period, especially if it is your first time navigating the airport.

Off-site parking on Howell Avenue and South 13th Street is completely unaffected by the construction footprint, which is on the airside of the terminal. All four Triply-listed lots remain fully bookable and operational:

Off-site rates run $5.50 to $12.21/day — a savings of up to 52% compared to the on-airport Daily Garage at $18/day. If you are planning a trip during the peak construction phase in 2026 or 2027, booking off-site early is a smart move. See the full breakdown in our MKE park and fly hotels guide, which covers shuttle schedules and check-in procedures for each lot.

What Happened to the Original Concourse E? A Brief History

The original Concourse E at Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport opened in 1969. At its peak, it served 16 airlines, including North Central Airlines, which used MKE as a hub during the regional aviation boom of the 1960s and 1970s. The concourse was a key part of MKE's expansion as air travel grew rapidly in the postwar era.

Over the following decades, airline consolidation and shifting traffic patterns reduced demand. The concourse was eventually closed in 2017 after falling out of active use. The physical structure was subsequently repurposed or left dormant while the airport handled international arrivals through the separate, standalone International Arrivals Building. The 2025 groundbreaking represents the first time the Concourse E footprint has been actively redeveloped in nearly a decade.

What Sustainable Features Will the New Concourse E Include?

The new Concourse E design incorporates several sustainability elements aligned with modern airport construction standards. According to project design documentation, the concourse will include a green roof — a vegetated roofing system that reduces stormwater runoff, lowers urban heat island effect, and improves building insulation. Green roofs can reduce roof-level temperature by up to 40–50°F compared to conventional roofing, reducing cooling loads inside the building.

The design also features solar shading systems on the exterior glazing. These louvers or fins limit direct solar heat gain through the large windows typical of modern terminal architecture, reducing HVAC energy demand during Wisconsin's sunny summer months. Combined with the green roof, these passive systems are intended to lower the building's long-term operational carbon footprint.

While specific LEED certification targets for the project have not been publicly confirmed as of October 2026, the combination of passive solar design and green roofing places the project broadly in line with LEED Silver or higher criteria. Verify the latest sustainability commitments with the Milwaukee County Aviation Department at 414-747-4561.

Which Airlines Will Use the New MKE Concourse E?

No airlines have been officially announced for the new Concourse E as of October 2026. The flexible-use gate design is intentional — it allows MKE to attract new international routes without committing gates to a single carrier. Airlines that already operate international service or have announced transatlantic ambitions from Midwest markets are the most likely candidates, but specific route or carrier announcements are expected closer to the 2027 opening.

The tripling of passenger processing capacity — from 140 to 400 arrivals per hour — makes MKE significantly more attractive for international carriers. Narrowbody international routes (think transatlantic leisure flights with carriers like Condor or Norse Atlantic) require processing infrastructure that the current facility cannot reliably support during peak demand. The new Concourse E removes that constraint.

MKE currently serves Concourse C (Southwest Airlines, United Airlines) and Concourse D (Delta Air Lines and most other carriers). The new Concourse E will add international capacity without displacing existing domestic operations. For details on how the current concourses are organized, the MKE airport terminal guide is the best starting point.

Travelers planning international trips through MKE should also review TSA security screening guidelines before departure — international flights at MKE depart from the domestic concourses during the construction period, so standard TSA screening applies on the way out. On return, CBP processing happens in the current International Arrivals Building until 2027.

How Does MKE Concourse E Construction Affect Your Parking Plan?

The short answer: your parking options at MKE are unchanged as of October 2026. The construction footprint is on the airside of the terminal, away from the parking structures and access roads. The Saver Lot shuttle runs every 5–10 minutes, 24 hours a day, with no service interruptions reported. The garage connects directly to the terminal via skywalk, and that connection is unaffected.

For a full comparison of every lot — including walking distances, covered vs. uncovered options, and EV charging — see our MKE parking map and lot guide, which covers every facility on the airport campus in detail. And for rates-only planning, the complete MKE airport parking guide has current pricing for all on- and off-airport options.

The best move during any active construction period is to book parking in advance. Off-site lots fill up faster when passengers are uncertain about access, and locking in a rate now protects you from last-minute price increases. Off-site MKE parking through Triply runs $5.50 to $12.21/day — book your spot before Concourse E construction picks up pace and rates rise. Find and reserve MKE parking from $5.50/day on Triply.