Passenger levels at La Crosse airport down 20%, but still above numbers just after COVID outbreak

The La Crosse Regional Airport has had its second-best year for commercial air travel since the breakout of COVID in early 2020. 

Just over 63,000 people on commercial flights passed through the local airport in 2022, which was a 20 percent drop from the year before. Changes in demand and airline staffing shortages contributed to the decrease. 

LSE had 63,239 riders on scheduled flights in 2022, compared to 81,143 the previous year. December’s 3,739 passengers was the lowest monthly total for the year. 

The passenger numbers have been down from 2021 levels for every month since April. 

The La Crosse Airport expects airlines serving the city to increase their daily flight schedules during the early part of 2023.