For the Antigo Times

Governor Scott Walker has proclaimed July 25 to 31 as Wisconsin Aviation Week. The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) and the Transportation Development Association of Wisconsin (TDA) have teamed up to promote, educate and celebrate the state’s aviation industry.

Aviation Week coincides with EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh—the “World’s Greatest Aviation Celebration.” The week-long event draws 10,000 aircraft and more than half a million people from more than 60 countries to Wittman Regional Airport—to celebrate the past, present and future in the world of aviation.

Wisconsin aviation is a thriving industry, and boasts more than 722 landing facilities, 127 of which are public-use airports, linking Wisconsin’s residents and businesses to national and global markets.

Key Wisconsin aviation facts:

In 2015, 5 million people boarded commercial flights in Wisconsin. In addition, more than 118 million pounds of cargo were transported by air last year.

In 2015, more than $66 million in federal and state funds supported more than 57 airport improvement projects around Wisconsin.

Aviation in Wisconsin and aviation-related jobs generate nearly $7 billion in annual economic activity and $3.5 billion in personal income.