La Crosse Regional Airport Explained

La Crosse Regional Airport
Iata:LSE
Icao:KLSE
Faa:LSE
Wmo:72643
Opened:[1]
Type:Public
Owner:City of La Crosse
City-Served:La Crosse, Wisconsin
Timezone:CST
Summer:CDT
Elevation-F:655
Publictransit: MTU: (demand-response)
Coordinates:43.8792°N -91.2567°W
Image Mapsize:180
Image Map Caption:FAA airport diagram
Pushpin Map:USA Wisconsin#USA
Pushpin Relief:yes
Pushpin Map Caption:Location of airport in Wisconsin
Pushpin Label:LSE
Pushpin Label Position:right
R1-Number:18/36
R1-Length-F:8,742
R1-Surface:Concrete
R2-Number:13/31
R2-Length-F:6,050
R2-Surface:Asphalt
R3-Number:4/22
R3-Length-F:5,199
R3-Surface:Asphalt
Stat1-Header:Aircraft operations (2022)
Stat1-Data:18,143
Stat2-Header:Based aircraft (2024)
Stat2-Data:63
Stat3-Header:Departing passengers
Stat3-Data:32,790
Stat4-Header:Cargo (lb.)
Stat4-Data:218
Footnotes:Source: Federal Aviation Administration[2]

La Crosse Regional Airport is a public airport located 5NM northwest of La Crosse, a city in La Crosse County, Wisconsin, United States. Until August 2013 the airport was called La Crosse Municipal Airport.[3]

It occupies the northern area of French Island, next to the Mississippi River. La Crosse's airport is the closest scheduled airline airport to the U.S. Army Fort McCoy base near Sparta, Wisconsin.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems for 2023–2027 categorized it as a non-hub primary commercial service facility.[4] It is the sixth busiest of eight commercial airports in Wisconsin in terms of passengers served.

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 [when?].

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 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.[5] [6] However, the closures did not occur after Congress restored funding to the FAA.[7]

Facilities

The airport covers 1,380 acres (558 ha) at an elevation of 655feet. It has three runways: the primary runway 18/36 is 8742feetx150feetft (xft) concrete; 13/31 is 6050feetx150feetft (xft) asphalt; 4/22 is 5199feetx150feetft (xft) asphalt.

The original runway layout is still in use, with many improvements. The 8,742-foot paved runway is the fourth longest in Wisconsin, after runways at MKE, MSN, and VOK airfields.

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, 2022, the airport had 18,143 aircraft operations, an average of 50 per day: 70% general aviation, 26% air taxi / airline and 4% military. In August 2024, there were 63 aircraft based at this airport: 49 single-engine, 5 multi-engine, 8 jet and 1 glider.

Airlines and destinations

American Airlines, served by American Eagle, has three daily departures and arrivals with direct service to Chicago. Sun Country Airlines provides periodic Boeing 737 flights to cities such as Bullhead City, Arizona (next to Laughlin, Nevada).

As of April 4, 2023, American Eagle (Air Wisconsin) flies the CRJ-200 for all flights to La Crosse from Chicago.

Cargo

Statistics

Annual traffic

See also

External links


Notes and References

  1. Web site: History. La Crosse Regional Airport. December 4, 2016.
  2. . Federal Aviation Administration. effective August 8, 2024.
  3. News: Use it or lose it: La Crosse airport attempts to lure fare-conscious travelers with convenience. August 22, 2013. La Crosse Tribune. August 12, 2013. Chris Hubbuch. Allison Geyer.
  4. Web site: NPIAS Report 2023-2027 Appendix A . . December 4, 2022 . October 6, 2022.
  5. Web site: FAA Contract Tower Closure List . . https://web.archive.org/web/20150419054745/http://www.aaae.org/?e=showFile&l=TDDZKA . April 19, 2015 . March 22, 2013.
  6. News: FAA: 149 control towers to close at small airports . . March 22, 2013.
  7. News: Bloom. Betsy. Airport tower to stay open. August 22, 2013. La Crosse Tribune. May 11, 2013.