If you had plans to fly American Airlines out of Dubuque anytime after September 7th, you'll need to find another carrier. Tuesday, June 21st,  American Airlines advised Dubuque Regional Airport Director, Todd Dalsing, they will be filing a notice with the Department of Transportation (DOT) to cease serving the Dubuque market on Sept. 7, 2022.

Todd Dalsing said,

“American Airlines has made the difficult decision and is discontinuing service in Dubuque as a result of the national pilot shortage. American Airlines will proactively reach out to customers scheduled to travel after Sept. 7, to offer alternate travel arrangements. American Airlines stated they are extremely grateful for the team members who served our customers in Dubuque and are working closely with them during this transition.”

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Molly Grover, Dubuque Area Chamber of Commerce CEO & President said,

“We are incredibly disappointed to learn of American Airlines’ decision to depart Dubuque. Unfortunately, this is the current trend in the aviation industry and regional airports are taking the brunt of the impact.”

“Since the pandemic started, over 50,000 airline employees — many of those pilots — are no longer with the airlines as they were pre-COVID," said Grover. "We truly appreciate all of the community’s support. You can do a lot of things in the airline industry to adapt, but the one thing you can’t do when you have pilot shortages is fly planes.”

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Dubuque Mayor Brad Cavanagh said,

“American Airlines has been a long-time partner for many years in Dubuque. We fully understand this is a nationwide issue with multiple airlines and airports announcing air service cancellations and reductions.”

According to the Regional Airline Association, 188 communities have lost at least 25 percent of their air service since the start of the pandemic or during the first half of 2022.

American Airlines announced over the weekend they will stop flying to Toledo, Ohio, along with Ithaca and Islip, New York, with more airports expected to come. In March 2022, United Airlines regional carrier SkyWest Airlines stated that it will be cutting service to 29 small cities that were served under the Essential Air Services program. In May 2022, Delta airlines cut over 100 flights this summer from July 1 - Aug. 7, primarily in markets in the U.S. and Latin America.

The Airport still has a $775,000 Small Community Air Service Development Program grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation to expand west-bound air service.

Dalsing went on to say,

“The Airport is not closed. We have robust general aviation with multiple corporate and private aircraft, including the University of Dubuque. We host numerous events such as the July 3rd Airshow, Major League Baseball, North American Trainers Association, Experimental Aircraft Association, and Honor Flights. We still have Sun Country Airlines destinational charters and we continue to meet with Legacy and Low-Cost Carriers.”

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