American Airlines Temporarily Suspends Flights at Dubuque Regional Airport

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act is set to expire on September 30, 2020. American Airlines will retain a station at Dubuque however, they will temporarily suspend service to Dubuque and other select cities beginning on October 7, 2020. American will continue to evaluate and assess all their network cities until passenger demand returns.

Here is the list of first round city suspensions with American Airlines.

Todd Dalsing, Dubuque Regional Airport Director said “The airline and travel industries are losing money at unprecedented rates. Airlines are still in a response phase to COVID-19 and not yet in a recovery phase. DBQ Airport Commission and Staff, will be working with our air service consultant and FlyDBQ Partners (Dubuque Chamber of Commerce, City of Dubuque, Dubuque County, Travel Dubuque, and Greater Dubuque Development Corporation), to monitor passenger traffic trends and work with air carriers for the return of air service to Dubuque.”

Molly Grover, Dubuque Area Chamber of Commerce President and CEO, states “The business community is disappointed that American Airlines has chosen to temporarily suspend flights at Dubuque. DBQ’s enplanements have been growing since April 2020 and have continued to exceed the national average. We will continue to work with our FlyDBQ partners, the Air Service Task Force, and the Airport to regain, as well as grow air service. The Small Community Air Service Grant for westbound service is still available for six years and we will continue to meet and work with all our airline partners to utilize this grant. Our air service consultant is confident that DBQ will continue air service once the industry bounces back from COVID.”

Travelers who have questions, can contact American Airlines at (800) 433-7300; go to DBQ Airport website www.flydbq.com and click on Traveler’s Aid; or call (844) IFLYDBQ – (844) 435-9327.

Contact Information:

Todd Dalsing

Dubuque Regional Airport Director
tdalsing@cityofdubuque.org

(563) 589-4233

Molly Grover
Dubuque Chamber President & CEO
mgrover@dubuquechamber.com
(563) 557-9200

August 2020 – U.S. passenger traffic was down 69% compared to August 2019

August 2020 – DBQ passenger traffic was down 66.51% compared to August 2019

Snapshot of Major Airlines - September 2020

GOING FORWARD:

American Airlines will retain a station in DBQ.
DBQ Airport Commission and Staff, will be working with our air service consultant and FlyDBQ Partners (Dubuque Chamber of Commerce, City of Dubuque, Dubuque County, Travel Dubuque and Greater Dubuque Development Corporation) to monitor passenger traffic trends and work with air carriers for the return of air service to Dubuque.
We see turbulence ahead with the country still in response phase to Covid. Our air service consultant expects more cities to see suspensions/reductions of air service.
Airline industry experts state air travel will not reach pre-Covid passengers until 2024.
We are working closely with our Federal, State and Local representatives monitoring legislation that may assist the airline/travel industry.
We plan to meet with United Airlines and SkyWest Airlines in Fall 2020 to discuss expansion opportunities to Denver when demand returns.
Sun Country Airlines reinstated charter operations with Don Laughlin Resorts and Beau Rivage Resorts out of DBQ. DBQ continues to inquire about other destination charter opportunities.