Denver Air Connection will operate a daily flight between Dubuque (DBQ) and O’Hare International Airport (ORD). Denver Air has interline ticketing and baggage transfer agreements with American Airlines, United Airlines, and Delta Air Lines. These agreements, offer passengers the ability to book, connect, and check bags through to those airlines’ destinations worldwide. With a single reservation, passengers will be able to travel, connect, and check their baggage through to their final destination.
Tickets can be purchased now directly through American, United, Delta, and Denver Air, as well as preferred travel reservation websites and agencies. Links to all these options are available at www.flydbq.com.
“The return of daily flights to and from a major hub is cause for celebration,” said Dubuque Mayor Brad Cavanagh. “We are excited to welcome Denver Air Connection to the Dubuque Regional Airport, and I encourage all travelers, whether for leisure or business, to take advantage of the convenient connections across the country and around the world that this service will provide.”
The flight will originate at O’Hare each day. The first leg will depart O’Hare around midday, and the flight from Dubuque to O’Hare will depart mid-afternoon. Denver Air Connection will operate fast, comfortable ERJ145 aircrafts departing from and arriving to Concourse L at O’Hare.
Denver Air currently serves communities across a nine-state region. Introduction of the Dubuque/O’Hare flight represents Denver Air’s first service in Iowa. The company was initially based in the Rocky Mountain region and has become known for exceptional customer service and operational reliability, boasting a 98% flight completion rate.
“Denver Air Connection is excited to partner with the City of Dubuque to bring back safe, reliable jet service to the region,” said Denver Air Connection Senior Vice President for Corporate Strategy Jon Coleman. “Our flight schedule is designed to facilitate easy connections with our airline partners in Chicago.”
“Dubuque area travelers can once again fly from Dubuque to O’Hare and then anywhere,” said Dubuque Regional Airport Manager Todd Dalsing. “We are excited to offer this service, but we will continue to pursue additional options to grow service for Dubuque and the larger tri-state region.”
“We are thrilled to welcome Denver Air as our commercial air service carrier,” said Dubuque Area Chamber of Commerce President & CEO Molly Grover. “Connectivity to O’Hare means our business community has access to the global marketplace-which is simply imperative to our future growth and prosperity. This is an important and significant step in the right direction as we work toward our ultimate goal of long-term sustainable air service for our community. Now more than ever, we urge the community to fully embrace this service and fly DBQ for all your air travel needs.”
Today’s announcement of the O’Hare connection follows months of conversations with legacy and regional carriers, and a community air service survey which drew responses from over 8,000 area residents and more than Dubuque area 200 businesses. Among survey respondents, O’Hare was, by far, the preferred hub connection. Survey results were shared during an air service forum in February, when it was also announced that DBQ Air, a new non-profit organization had been formed to bolster air service, in collaboration with local government and business leaders. DBQ Air’s board includes representatives from the City of Dubuque, Dubuque County, the Dubuque Regional Airport Commission, the Dubuque Area Chamber of Commerce, Greater Dubuque Development Corporation, the Dubuque Racing Association, and Travel Dubuque.
“The return of daily flights to a major hub is great, but our work to expand air service is not done,” said Cavanagh. “The DBQ Air group continues to meet weekly to pursue that goal and to explore related partnerships and opportunities.” Cavanagh said high utilization of the new daily flight to and from O’Hare will demonstrate the need for additional air service options at the Dubuque Regional Airport.
Funds from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Small Community Air Service Development (SCASD) Program, a grant program designed to help small communities address air service and airfare issues, will be utilized to help initiate the service, including a local match from public and private partners. U.S. Senators Grassley and Ernst and U.S. Congresswoman Hinson worked with Dubuque Regional Airport staff and partners to acquire the SCASD grant.
The Dubuque Regional Airport continues to offer free parking and free Wi-Fi internet service. Food and drink service is available within the terminal’s secure waiting area. Sun Country Airlines regularly offers charter flights to leisure destinations from the airport. Avis and Budget rental car agency counters are also located inside the terminal building.
Comments