Telegraph Herald Opinion: Support Local Air Service and Local Business by Flying DBQ

MAY 6, 2025

Our Opinion: Support Local Air Service and Local Business by Flying DBQ

The news announced late last month that Denver Air would alter its flight times in and out of Dubuque Regional Airport was met with cheers from local officials and business leaders who have been working assiduously to return viable daily flights to the community.

Local travelers, too, must be overjoyed at the news — which is a realization of what folks had been clamoring for: A morning flight into Chicago’s O’Hare International and evening return, thus accommodating better connections to other destinations. Additionally, the new schedule works for businesspeople hoping to do a quick in-and-out of the Windy City.

Beginning May 16, the outbound flight departs from Dubuque at 7:50 a.m. and arrives at O’Hare at 8:45 a.m. The return flight departs O’Hare at 5 p.m., arriving at DBQ at 5:55 p.m.

Now, there’s only one thing left to do in order to hang on to air service in Dubuque: Use it.

That’s not something the mayor or Dubuque Area Chamber of Commerce or Greater Dubuque Development Corp. can do on their own. Dubuque Air Board members have done the heavy lifting and negotiating. They got what we all wanted. Now it’s up to citizens to book the tickets.

Most of the reasons people cited for not flying DBQ have been removed.

No more “I would, but ...”

No more “I can’t because ...”

With Denver Air, residents of the region will find these advantages:

- Ability to book online and connect with a major airline in one reservation.

- Free parking at Dubuque Regional Airport.

- Seamless baggage transfer.

- Direct to gate arrival (no more bus due to construction).

Last month, Mayor Brad Cavanagh pitched increasing the city budget promoting commercial air service by tacking on $10,000 in tax support to its current advertising budget of $60,000, which was approved by the City Council. That was 100% the right call. This is very likely Dubuque’s last chance to make local air service work. There is no other airline willing and able to serve this community. It comes down to revenue — just like any business proposition. The more we can get the word out in the region about the convenience of flying DBQ, the more likely we’ll see planes filling up.

And there’s no reason that shouldn’t happen. This change in flight times addresses pretty much every major obstacle or concern raised by businesses and leisure travelers since daily air service was restored last November.

The Dubuque Air Board has stepped up.

Denver Air has responded.

Now, businesses and individuals in the tri-states need to make flying DBQ their first and preferred choice.

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