Officials celebrate seasonal Rhinelander-Chicago flights

There has long been a connection between the greater Chicago area and the Northwoods of Wisconsin. For decades, residents of Chicagoland have made their way to Oneida and Vilas counties, particularly in the summer months, in search of cool breezes and refreshing lakes.
While they once arrived by train or station wagon, these days there’s a much faster way to make the trek. As of Thursday, May 22, the Rhinelander-Oneida County Airport is once again offering daily flights to Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport.
The flights, through United Airlines, will continue until late September, allowing Illinois residents to get to the Northwoods in about an hour and connecting Northwoods’ residents to a major hub from which they can access nearly any destination in the world.
Airport officials celebrated the occasion with a brief ceremony before the arrival of the first flight from O’Hare.
Rhinelander-Oneida County Airport Commissioner Brad Kowieski shared a brief history of the airport, dating back to the construction of the main terminal in 1979.

“Since 1979, over 2.8 million travelers have traveled through (this airport),” he said. “Annually, over 26,000 travelers use their airport to get their business done, start something new, come back home, say a first hello or a final goodbye.”
He also noted the City of Rhinelander and Oneida County’s financial support of the airport.
Their combined contribution of about $197,000 represents 27 percent of the airport’s $1.5 million budget, he shared.
“It’s quite a bargain when you think about the economic impact of our airport,” he added, noting that studies show the airport contributes over $35 million to the community annually. Approximately $7 million of that total represents visitor spending, he added.
“Today, we celebrate an expansion of our flight service which will continue to enhance the (economic) impact on our community,” he continued.
Assistant airport director Angie Frey read a speech that was to be delivered by aviation consultant Jack Penning, who was unable to attend.
Penning, who worked with local airport officials to secure the Chicago flights, praised director Matthew Leitner’s persistance.
“With Matthew’s passion, he simply doesn’t accept failure,” Penning wrote. “His goal has consistently been to secure flights to best serve the community he loves and today we celebrate his vision and his success.”
Penning also noted that “every single seat on every single plane that arrives from Chicago is delivering $77 to this region.”
And then there are the non-monetary impacts.
“Someone’s moved to Rhinelander to retire next to an idyllic lake but their grandkids are still in Chicago. This flight means that those grandkids can easily come and spend part of their summer here creating memories for those kids that will never fade,” he wrote. “Someone here needs medical care. The best specialist in the world could be a Chicago hospital. This flight means immediate attention, immediate relief…”
Lauren Sackett, CEO of the Rhinelander Area Chamber of Commerce, noted the seasonal flights are a win for the local business community.
(The flights will bring) new opportunities and faster, more efficient connections top clients, suppliers and markets,” she said.
Krystal Westphal of the Greater Minocqua Area Visitors Bureau, called the return of the seasonal flights “a monumental step forward for the entire Northwoods region of Wisconsin.”
“Visitors come to experience our pristine lakes, dense forests and warm hospitality,” she noted. “With the added convenience of a direct flight and commercial air services, our region is more accessible than ever to both first-time visitors and returning families whose traditions are rooted in the Northwoods experience.”
“This is more than a flight route, it’s a gateway to growth, prosperity and a shared experience in the beautiful Northwoods of Wisconsin,” she added.