Key Takeaways
• Delta Air Lines ceased flights from La Crosse Regional Airport in June 2023, causing passenger numbers to drop.
• American Airlines currently offers three daily flights to Chicago, remaining the sole carrier serving the airport.
• Airport offers up to $250,000 revenue guarantee to attract new airlines including Allegiant and United Airlines.
After Delta Air Lines stopped operating from La Crosse Regional Airport in June 2023, the airport has faced big changes and tough decisions. Since then, only American Airlines has been offering regular flights. The absence of Delta not only left gaps in travel choices for local residents but also dropped the number of passengers using the airport. Recovering from this sudden change has become a priority for airport officials, businesses, and travelers alike.
Immediate Impact of Losing Delta
Before Delta left, La Crosse Regional Airport provided travelers with more choices and better ways to connect to bigger cities. However, after Delta pulled out—largely because there were not enough pilots and they didn’t have enough airplanes during the pandemic—the airport saw its passenger numbers shrink. The data tells the story: in 2018, the airport served 58,000 more people compared to today, and the numbers are about half of what they were before COVID-19. The effect was deeply felt by people who suddenly had only one carrier—American Airlines—left for their travel needs.
The reason behind Delta’s exit wasn’t just about La Crosse. Across the United States 🇺🇸, major airlines chose to leave smaller regional airports. The pilot shortage became a nationwide problem. Airlines had to focus their limited crews and airplanes on busier airports, leaving places like La Crosse with fewer options.
American Airlines: The Only Option for Now
Today, American Airlines flies three daily flights between La Crosse and Chicago. This steady connection is what keeps the airport running, but it doesn’t fully make up for the drop in options after Delta left. With just one airline, and only one route, travelers from the La Crosse area often have to drive long distances—sometimes to Minneapolis or even farther—for more direct or affordable flights. While American Airlines plays a crucial role, the airport and its users know there’s a clear need for more competition.
A Strategic Push to Bring Delta Back
Not willing to settle for limited service, airport leaders have set their sights on bringing Delta back. According to airport business manager J.D. Roberts, talks with Delta continue, and both the airline and airport are interested in resuming service. The improved availability of pilots has made these conversations much more hopeful compared to the past couple of years. There are different ways this could happen. Delta might provide its mainline flights, or it could partner with a regional airline like SkyWest to fly under its brand. Restoring Delta means much more than just returning to old schedules—it could reconnect travelers directly to Delta’s core hub in Minneapolis, opening up better and more affordable routes for everyone.
For an airport recovering from the loss of a major carrier, these talks are about more than convenience. If Delta comes back, passengers won’t have to rely on a single company. More airline choices often bring down prices and lead to better service. Residents, students, and local businesses all stand to gain if Delta returns.
Looking Beyond Delta: Attracting New Airline Partners
La Crosse Regional Airport is not waiting passively. Alongside efforts to restore Delta flights, officials are reaching out to bring in more carriers. The airport has lined up powerful tools to catch the attention of airlines that serve regional and leisure markets.
One key tool is the “minimum revenue guarantee.” This program offers up to $250,000—approved by the La Crosse County Board, with more possible through federal grants—to protect new airlines from losses when starting a route. If an airline’s ticket sales fall short of what’s needed to make a profit, the guarantee covers the gap, making it a safer bet for airlines to try new flights from La Crosse Regional Airport. This kind of support can make the airport much more attractive, especially when carriers are looking at several similar-sized airports.
Talks are already underway with several well-known names: Allegiant Air, Sun Country Airlines, United Airlines, Breeze Airways, and Avelo Airlines. Each of these companies serves different passenger needs. Allegiant and Sun Country might offer direct leisure routes, while United would connect travelers to major business centers like Denver.
Bringing new airlines to La Crosse could change the airport’s future. More routes—especially to popular vacation spots like Florida or Las Vegas—could help the airport capture travelers who today drive hundreds of miles because they feel their local options are too limited or expensive.
Community Involvement Means More Than Just Words
It’s not just airport officials who see the need for change. Local leaders and groups have offered strong support, contributing funds and backing strategic airport plans. Their goal is to recapture the thousands of travelers who drive to bigger airports because they see little reason to fly from La Crosse. As demand for leisure travel returns after the pandemic, and as people mix work trips with vacation, the timing might be perfect for La Crosse Regional Airport to win back these lost travelers.
Analysis from VisaVerge.com suggests that when communities work together and provide strong incentives, airlines are much more likely to launch new service. For La Crosse, these efforts update the airport’s value in the eyes of large companies looking to expand their networks.
Signs of Recovery: Passenger Numbers on the Rise
There are already signs these strategies are starting to pay off. April of this year saw more than 3,600 passengers, the strongest month in seven months. In just the first four months of this year, almost 13,000 people traveled through La Crosse Regional Airport—a 28% increase over the same time last year. These numbers show that, even with only American Airlines flying regularly, people are starting to come back. The recovery in passenger traffic helps the airport make a stronger case in its meetings with potential airline partners.
For any new carrier, growing demand shows there’s a recovering market. It sends a message that the time to invest in La Crosse is now, not later.
Incentives and Competition: What They Mean for Passengers
The minimum revenue guarantee and push for more service isn’t just inside baseball. They can have a big impact on your ticket prices and travel choices. When more airlines compete for your business, fares usually drop and schedules improve. For students, families, and local businesses, being able to fly out of La Crosse Regional Airport instead of traveling hours to another city can mean real savings—in both time and money.
For people with international travel plans, having additional airlines means it’s easier to connect to big airports like Minneapolis or Chicago, and from there, to the rest of the world. If more carriers join American Airlines at La Crosse, travelers could enjoy more flexible schedules and fewer missed connections.
Summary Table: The Airport Today and What’s Next
| Aspect | Details/Status |
|---|---|
| Main Carrier | American Airlines (operates three daily flights to Chicago) |
| Lost Carrier | Delta Air Lines (stopped flights in June 2023) |
| Restoration Efforts | Continued talks with Delta and SkyWest about returning service |
| New Airline Incentives | Up to $250,000 in revenue guarantees; extra funding possible through grants |
| Targeted New Carriers | Allegiant Air, Sun Country Airlines, United Airlines, Breeze Airways, Avelo |
| Focus Destinations | Big hubs (Minneapolis, Denver), leisure markets (Florida, Las Vegas, Phoenix) |
| Passenger Trends | Sharply declined after Delta left; numbers now rebounding |
What Does the Future Hold for La Crosse Regional Airport?
For now, American Airlines is the anchor airline, keeping the airport open and connected to a vital hub. But the airport is using every possible tool to restore Delta service and convince other airlines to try flying out of La Crosse as well. If these efforts succeed, passengers can look forward to:
- More direct routes to major hubs and vacation spots
- Lower airfares, thanks to more competition
- Less need to drive to other airports for more flight choices
- Better chances of finding convenient flight times
- An easier path to international travel by connecting quickly to larger airports
These changes won’t just help people planning vacations. They are important for local businesses that rely on easy access to national and international markets and for schools that want to attract students from outside the region.
Staying Informed and Planning Ahead
If you are considering flying in or out of La Crosse, keep an eye on the airport’s official news and announcements. Updates might include the return of Delta or the arrival of a new carrier, potentially changing your best travel options. Even as you book through American Airlines now, remember that more choices may soon be on the way.
Conclusion: A Community Working Together
La Crosse Regional Airport’s story is one of resilience. Losing Delta could have spelled a long-term setback—especially as pandemic pressures only made things harder for smaller airports. Instead, the airport has acted quickly, lining up strong incentives and working closely with local leaders, all in the hopes of not just restoring what was lost but making the airport even better than before. Every passenger who chooses to fly from La Crosse today adds strength to that case, showing airlines there is demand ready to be met.
The airport’s future depends on successful talks with Delta, the arrival of new carriers, and strong community support for each new flight. If all goes as planned, people in La Crosse will soon find it much easier to connect with the wider world—whether for work, family, or a well-deserved getaway.
For detailed information on airline service and the latest in flight options at La Crosse Regional Airport, travelers can always check the official La Crosse Regional Airport website. Continued support from the community and growing passenger numbers are set to help the airport soar into brighter days, delivering better travel opportunities for everyone.
Learn Today
Delta Air Lines → Major U.S. airline that ceased operating routes from La Crosse in June 2023.
Revenue Guarantee → Financial incentive protecting new airlines from losses when starting service at an airport.
Mainline Flights → Primary flights operated directly by a major airline instead of its regional partners.
Pilots Shortage → Nationwide lack of available pilots limiting airlines from maintaining or expanding service.
Regional Airline → Smaller airline operating short-haul flights, often partnering with larger carriers under their brand.
This Article in a Nutshell
La Crosse Regional Airport lost Delta Air Lines in June 2023, leaving only American Airlines operating. Efforts to restore Delta and attract new carriers use financial incentives, aiming to increase competition, improve routes, and boost passenger numbers, signaling a hopeful recovery for the local airport and community connectivity.
— By VisaVerge.com
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