Clear Secure Inc. announced Tuesday that it is launching its security screening lanes at Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport (MKE).
Mitchell will be the 45th airport featuring Clear Plus lanes in the U.S., according to a press release. The launch is expected to create 34 jobs and more than $2.6 million in local economic activity.
Clear’s lanes allow participating users – who purchase a “Clear Plus” membership for $16 per month – to verify their identity with their eyes or fingers, bypass the initial security checkpoint and go directly to TSA physical security, the release said.
"Our partnership with CLEAR will elevate the customer experience for Milwaukee travelers while showcasing the innovation we continue to cultivate at the airport,” said Brian Dranzik, Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport director, in the release. “We’re confident passengers will love the new technology and take advantage of the opportunity to travel faster through the airport."
The company has more than 12 million members nationally and serves nine of Mitchell’s top 10 domestic destinations, according to the release. Mitchell airport saw an 11.2% year-over-year increase in June traffic, although it has yet to reach pre-pandemic totals.
Clear was born out of 9/11, relaunched in 2010 and went public in 2021. In addition to its Clear Plus airport service that generates almost all of its revenue, Clear has a virtual queuing technology called Reserve and a free app that includes its health screening solution, Health Pass.
The airport did not pay Clear to come to Milwaukee as the screening technology is a membership-based program paid for by users, said Harold Mester, Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport director of public affairs and marketing, in an email.
