The city of Dubuque, Iowa, will once again be without scheduled commercial air service after Denver Air Connection confirmed it will end flights at Dubuque Regional Airport early next year.
The decision follows a recent vote by the Dubuque City Council to terminate its agreement with the airline, citing persistently low ridership and the cost of continuing to subsidize the service. Denver Air Connection has been the airport’s sole scheduled passenger carrier, operating daily flights to Chicago O’Hare since late 2024.
Dubuque is not an Essential Air Service community, meaning the flights were not supported by the federal government. Instead, the service relied on a locally backed minimum revenue guarantee designed to offset operating losses as the route matured. City officials have said passenger numbers failed to reach levels needed to make the service financially sustainable without continued public support.
“I can’t in good conscience vote to continue this service knowing that we are funding this straight out of our own pocket,” said Dubuque Mayor Brad Cavanagh, according to local news station KCRG.
In a statement provided to AirlineGeeks, a Denver Air Connection spokesperson thanked the city and airport leadership for their cooperation during the airline’s time in Dubuque.
“Denver Air Connection appreciates our partnership with the City of Dubuque and the dedicated efforts of Todd Dalsing and the entire airport team,” the spokesperson said.
The airline outlined refund procedures for affected passengers, noting that reservations booked directly with Denver Air Connection for flights after Jan. 15 have been canceled and will be refunded to the original form of payment.
“We are grateful for the community’s support over the past year and thank everyone who has flown with us,” the statement continued. “We will truly miss the familiar faces and relationships built at the Dubuque Regional Airport.”
With the end of Denver Air Connection’s service, Dubuque Regional Airport will have no scheduled commercial flights, marking another setback in the city’s efforts to restore consistent passenger air service after previous airline exits.
American previously served the airport until 2022. Ultra-low-cost carrier Avelo also added service to Dubuque in 2022 and 2023, but later pulled out of the market.
