La Crosse Airport getting more airline attention, including possible return of Delta

More airlines are showing an interest in serving the La Crosse Regional Airport, including one that left town two years ago.

At Monday’s meeting of the city aviation board, airport director Jeff Tripp said he’s been talking with representatives of Delta, as well as other companies like Allegiant and Sun Country, about adding La Crosse flights.

Delta left the La Crosse market in the summer of 2023, citing cutbacks on staffing in the airline industry.

Recently, La Crosse’s airport has been building up a $1 million revenue guarantee fund, which could help airlines remain profitable providing regular flights through La Crosse.

That included the La Crosse County Board approving last month setting aside $250,000 to be put into that fund.

The airport also has a new bus service starting in a few weeks, operated by Sun Country, which will offer regular trips from La Crosse to the Minneapolis airport.

The end of Delta service to La Crosse left only American Airlines flying in and out of the airport regularly.

Tripp said Delta is considering a return to the market as early as next year.

Recent passenger numbers for the La Crosse airport are giving the local management reason for optimism.

In January, 3,082 passengers flew on the regular commercial flights through LSE. That was a 62 percent increase over the total from January of 2024, and it marked 10 consecutive months when the passenger number exceeded 3,000.

The airport also saw sharp increases in revenue from car rentals, parking fees and restaurant sales, compared to the same month a year ago.