Dubuque Airport: Does It Exist?

is there an airport in dubuque

Yes, there is an airport in Dubuque, Iowa. Dubuque Regional Airport (IATA: DBQ, ICAO: KDBQ, FAA LID: DBQ) is located eight miles south of Dubuque, on U.S. Highway 61. The airport is owned by the City of Dubuque and is operated as a department of the city government. It covers 1,240 acres of land and has two concrete runways. DBQ is used for general aviation and sees one airline, Sun Country Airlines, which runs a charter service. The airport has been recognised for its commitment to safety by the Federal Aviation Administration, winning the Airport Safety Enhancement Award on multiple occasions.

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Dubuque Regional Airport's location and ownership

Dubuque Regional Airport (IATA: DBQ, ICAO: KDBQ, FAA LID: DBQ) is located eight miles south of Dubuque, in Dubuque County, Iowa. The airport is situated on U.S. Highway 61 and covers an area of 1,240 acres (502 hectares) at an elevation of 1,077 feet (328 meters). It features two concrete runways: 18/36, which measures 6,327 by 150 feet (1,928 x 46 meters), and 13/31, which is 6,502 by 100 feet (1,982 x 30 meters).

In terms of ownership, the Dubuque Regional Airport is owned by the City of Dubuque and is operated as a department of the city government. The city council plays a significant role in the airport's governance by appointing individuals to the Airport Commission board for four-year terms. This board is responsible for overseeing the airport's operations and hires an airport manager to handle the day-to-day management.

The airport serves general aviation and, historically, has had up to three air carriers. However, due to various economic and industry challenges, the number of airlines serving Dubuque Regional Airport has fluctuated over the years. As of 2022, the airport was left without any scheduled commercial airline service after American Eagle suspended its flights. Despite this setback, the airport continues to offer maintenance and refueling services, including those for jets.

The Dubuque Regional Airport has been recognised for its commitment to safety by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). It has consistently achieved perfect safety inspections and has received the FAA's "Airport Safety Enhancement Award" on multiple occasions. The airport is also home to the University of Dubuque's flight operations centre, which provides pilot training for the school's aviation programmes.

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Airlines and destinations

Dubuque Regional Airport (IATA: DBQ, ICAO: KDBQ, FAA LID: DBQ) is located eight miles south of Dubuque, Iowa, and is owned by the City of Dubuque. The airport is used for general aviation and sees one airline, with a charter service run by Sun Country Airlines.

Historically, Dubuque Regional Airport has had up to three air carriers. However, due to economic headwinds and airline staffing issues, the city's efforts to attract more airlines have been hampered. American Airlines and American Eagle both pulled out of the airport in 2018 and 2022, respectively, due to financial difficulties and low demand.

Despite these setbacks, Dubuque Regional Airport still offers flights to various destinations. On August 27, 2024, the airport announced the return of daily service to Chicago O'Hare International Airport with Denver Air Connection. This service provides a smooth passenger experience with a jet bridge connection at Gate L27 in Terminal 3.

In addition to scheduled flights, the airport provides maintenance and refueling services, including for jets. The airport has been recognized for its commitment to safety by the Federal Aviation Administration, winning the "Airport Safety Enhancement Award" on multiple occasions.

With its two concrete runways, Dubuque Regional Airport accommodates a significant number of aircraft operations, averaging 192 per day in the year ending September 30, 2022. The airport also serves as a training centre for the University of Dubuque's aviation programs, offering both ground school and flight training.

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Safety record and awards

Dubuque Regional Airport has been recognised by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) multiple times for its commitment to safety. The airport won the FAA's "Airport Safety Enhancement Award" in 1994, 1997, 2000, and 2003. To receive this award, an airport must go three consecutive years without discrepancies during an inspection.

In 2008, the Dubuque Regional Airport marked 18 consecutive years of perfect safety inspections in accordance with FAR Part 139, a record that remains unmatched among the approximately 600 certified U.S. airports.

However, there have been several incidents at the airport, including crashes in 1982, 1993, and 2014. On December 24, 1982, a Piper PA-31 Navajo crashed on a back course approach to Runway 13 due to low visibility, resulting in the deaths of the pilot and passenger. On April 19, 1993, a Mitsubishi MU-2B-60, owned by the state of South Dakota, suffered a catastrophic failure of the propeller hub on its left engine and crashed while on approach south of Zwingle, Iowa. On October 13, 2014, a Piper PA-46 crashed on approach to the airport, resulting in one fatality. The cause of the crash was unclear, but low visibility was reported.

In addition to its safety record, the Dubuque Regional Airport has also undergone several improvements and expansions over the years. In 2016, a new $23 million terminal building was opened as part of the airport's master improvement plan. The airport covers 1,240 acres at an elevation of 1,077 feet and has two concrete runways. In 2022, the airport had 70,223 aircraft operations, with an average of 192 per day, mostly consisting of general aviation.

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Aircraft operations and statistics

Dubuque Regional Airport (IATA: DBQ, ICAO: KDBQ, FAA LID: DBQ) is located eight miles south of Dubuque, in Dubuque County, Iowa. The airport covers 1,240 acres of land at an elevation of 1,077 feet. Dubuque Regional Airport has two concrete runways: 18/36, which is 6,327 feet long and 150 feet wide, and 13/31, which is 6,502 feet long and 100 feet wide.

The airport is owned by the City of Dubuque and is operated as a department of the city government. The city council appoints people to the Airport Commission board for four-year terms, and this board is responsible for overseeing the airport's operations. For day-to-day management, the Commission hires an airport manager. The airport is recognised by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for its commitment to safety, winning the "Airport Safety Enhancement Award" in 1994, 1997, 2000, and 2003. In 2008, the airport marked 18 consecutive years of perfect safety inspections.

In the year ending 30 September 2022, the airport saw 70,223 aircraft operations, averaging 192 per day. The majority of these operations were general aviation (97%), with a small percentage being air taxi (3%), and an even smaller percentage being military or airline operations (both under 1%). As of September 2022, 83 aircraft were based at the airport, including 63 single-engine planes, 5 multi-engine planes, 12 jets, and three helicopters.

The airport offers flights to various destinations, with American Airlines being one of the most popular carriers. In addition, a charter service is provided by Sun Country Airlines. The airport also provides maintenance and fuelling services for jets.

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Transportation to the airport

Yes, there is an airport in Dubuque, Iowa. Dubuque Regional Airport (IATA: DBQ, ICAO: KDBQ, FAA LID: DBQ) is located eight miles south of Dubuque, on U.S. Highway 61.

There are several options for getting to Dubuque Regional Airport. If you don't want to worry about parking, you can ask a friend or family member to drive you and drop you off at the airport. If you're travelling with a colleague, you could meet at your office and share a taxi to the airport. If you need to drive yourself, Dubuque Regional Airport offers long-term parking that is safe and secure for your vehicle.

If you're flying from Dubuque Regional Airport, it's recommended that you arrive early to give yourself time to find parking, check-in, drop off your bags, and grab a bite to eat. You can also save time by checking in online and familiarising yourself with your airline's check-in requirements and baggage policies in advance.

Airlines and Destinations

Dubuque Regional Airport is used for general aviation and sees one airline. A charter service is run by Sun Country Airlines. In 2024, the airport announced the return of daily service to Chicago O'Hare International Airport with Denver Air Connection. Historically, Dubuque Regional Airport has had up to three air carriers, but contractions in the airline industry have reduced this number. American Airlines previously operated flights from Dubuque but discontinued them in 2018.

Safety and Awards

The Dubuque Regional Airport has been recognised by the Federal Aviation Administration for its commitment to safety. It has won the FAA's "Airport Safety Enhancement Award" four times and, in 2008, marked 18 consecutive years of perfect safety inspections.

Frequently asked questions

Yes, there is an airport in Dubuque. It is called Dubuque Regional Airport (IATA: DBQ, ICAO: KDBQ, FAA LID: DBQ).

The Dubuque Regional Airport is located eight miles south of Dubuque, in Dubuque County, Iowa.

The Dubuque Regional Airport offers flights to various destinations, including Chicago O'Hare International Airport and Denver Air Connection. American Airlines was one of the most popular carriers operating domestic flights from the airport, but they discontinued their services in October 2018.

There are several transportation options to get to the Dubuque Regional Airport. You can drive yourself and use the long-term parking available at the airport, or you can have a friend or family member drop you off using short-term parking. Alternatively, you can share a cab ride with colleagues if you are travelling for business.

The Dubuque Regional Airport provides maintenance and refueling services, including service for jets. The airport also has an official website and social media presence, where you can stay up to date with the latest news and updates. Additionally, the airport has been recognised multiple times for its commitment to safety by the Federal Aviation Administration.

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