MADISON, Wis. — Dane County Regional Airport wants to achieve international status.

What You Need To Know

  • In 2024, the Dane County Regional Airport had 2.35 million passengers, the second most of any year in the airport’s 85-year history 
  • The airport is now seeking international designation

  • The Dane County Regional Airport currently flies to 17 U.S. cities. International travelers in southwest Wisconsin have to drive to Chicago or Milwaukee for an international flight

  • Becoming an international airport only happens after a federal investigation into whether there is sufficient need and space for added flights, as well as U.S. Customs and Border Protection facilities and staff

It comes after the airport had a big year. In 2024, the airport had 2.35 million passengers, the second most of any year in the airport’s 85-year history. The only year that saw more was 2019.

Part of Dane County Executive Melissa Agard’s work is pursuing that international designation.

She said the airport’s recent expansion, and the Madison area’s rapid population growth, support the need.

“I very much believe that if we invest in an international designation here in Dane County, we’re going to be able to provide more opportunities for our business partners, as well as more opportunities for recreational travelers here in Wisconsin,” Agard said.

“As our population grows — our current projections are in the next 25 years that this region will have a million people — so does the increasing desire to travel globally,” said Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce President Zach Brandon, who is working closely with Agard on the effort.

Brandon said population growth isn’t the only factor.

“There’s an increasing number of multinational companies here, whether they were homegrown here in Wisconsin, or they came out of the university or startups,” said Brandon. “They have now gone and launched into the global marketplace.”

The Dane County Regional Airport currently flies to 17 U.S. cities. International travelers in southwest Wisconsin have to drive to Chicago or Milwaukee for an international flight.

Becoming an international airport is not a quick or easy process. It only happens after a federal investigation into whether there is sufficient need and space for added flights, as well as U.S. Customs and Border Protection facilities and staff.

“Our community is ready for it,” Agard said. “It’s a matter of being able to go through the bureaucratic processes with our federal partners right now.”

Agard said the search for a new Dane County Regional Airport director is also critical to push for international designation. Current airport director Kim Jones retires in April.

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