La Crosse Regional Airport

History

The La Crosse Airport can accommodate the largest aircraft. One of the largest passenger jets, the Boeing 747 Air Force One (AF1), has made overnight trips to this airport with every U.S. President for the last 20 years.

In 1998 President Bill Clinton flew to La Crosse in AF1 Boeing 707 (VC-137C SAM 26000). This was the last time a US President flew on this plane, which was retired to the National Museum of the United States Air Force in Dayton, Ohio. One of the world's largest cargo jets, a Russian Antonov An-124, has flown to La Crosse airport. The US military C-5A cargo and KC-10 Extender cargo/refueling jumbo jets have been at the annual summer Deke Slayton Airshow (area astronaut), Airfest at the airport, along with vintage and modern military and private planes. The show has also featured the US Navy Blue Angels and the US Air Force Thunderbirds. In the past, Sun Country Airlines has flown DC-10 (380 passenger seats) on charter flights from La Crosse to other cities. The New Orleans Saints NFL football team flew the 180-seat Delta Air Lines Boeing 757 planes each week to La Crosse for summer camp, and to and from NFL cities for pre-season games.

The airport's control tower was one of 143 towers slated for closure by the FAA due to the 2013 Federal sequester. However, the closures did not occur after Congress restored funding to the FAA.

Facilities

The airport covers 1,380 acres (558 ha) at an elevation of 656 feet (200 m). It has three runways: 18/36 is 8,742 by 150 feet (2,665 x 46 m) concrete; 13/31 is 6,050 by 150 feet (1,844 x 46 m) asphalt; 3/21 is 5,199 by 150 feet (1,585 x 46 m) asphalt.

The original runway layout is still in use, with many improvements. Two runways were extended to 6,050 feet (1,840 m) and 8,742 feet (2,665 m). The 8,742-foot paved runway is the fourth longest in Wisconsin.

The airport has a modern two-story passenger terminal with three gates. The following are provided:

There are 11 corporate hangars and eight multi-aircraft T-hangars on the airport property. There is a cellphone-use free parking area for those awaiting passenger arrivals.

For the 12-month period ending December 31, 2015, the airport had 26,303 aircraft operations, an average of 72 per day: 68% general aviation, 24% air taxi / airline and 8% military. In March 2017, there were 74 aircraft based at this airport: 60 single-engine, 4 multi-engine, 8 jet and 2 helicopter.

Airlines and destinations

Two major airlines, Delta Air Lines, served by Delta Connection, and American Airlines served by Envoy Air, have 7 daily departures and arrivals with direct service to Chicago and Minneapolis. Sun Country Airlines provides periodic Boeing 737 flights to cities such as Bullhead City, Arizona (next to Laughlin, Nevada).

La Crosse Regional Airport is served by Delta Connection's 50-seat Bombardier CRJ200 and the newer 76-seat Bombardier CRJ900 and Embraer 175. American Eagle also flies 50-seat Embraer 145s and larger CRJ700s from Chicago.