MADISON, WIS. – Unlike many “hub” airports in major cities whose primary tenants are the airlines, airports in medium-sized cities like Madison, Wisconsin, not only serve the airlines, but a variety of general aviation operations and oftentimes the military.
Today with 13 non-stop destinations, Dane County Regional Airport (KMSN) provides seamless, low-stress, and affordable options for both leisure and business travelers, offering 94 daily arrivals and departures, with one stop to anywhere in the world!
Airlines that serve Dane County Regional Airport include United, Delta, American, and Frontier. There’s non-stop service to Atlanta, Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Dallas-Fort Worth, Denver, Detroit, Minneapolis, New York, Newark, Orlando, Salt Lake City, and Washington, D.C.
Dane County Regional Airport marked its second best year in history with passenger traffic surging 6.7 percent in 2012 compared to 2011. For the year, 810,953 passengers flew out of Madison. The airport’s best year ever was in 2004 with 847,341 passengers.
The airline terminal features an art court and greeter’s lounge with a fireplace and soft, leather seating to add to the comfort and distinctive ambience of the building. The terminal incorporates green building strategies including water efficient landscaping, recycled carpet and acoustic ceiling tiles, non-toxic wood preservative treatment, and chlorine-free vinyl wall covering. A building automation system dims lights and modifies heating and cooling to unused areas of the terminal. A chiller plant makes ice at night that is used to cool the building during the day.
Terminal restaurants include Caffe Ritazza, Ancora Coffee Roasters, Uno Chicago Pizza, Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream, Quizno’s Subs, Great Dane Brew Pub and the Wurst German Bar, all managed by Creative Host. Retail stores include the Wisconsin Marketplace, CNBC Store, and Lake Country Travel Mart, all managed by The Paradies Shops.
On the general aviation east and south ramps is Wisconsin Aviation; and corporate hangars for such firms as Promega, American Family, Cuna Credit Union, and the Pyle Group. On the south ramp, the Wisconsin Air National Guard has fighter aircraft and helicopter squadrons. “The Jet Room” restaurant is located in the Wisconsin Aviation terminal on the east ramp, and is open seven days a week with a great view of airport operations from the dining area.
Bradley Livingston is the airport director, appointed in 2003. He previously served as operations manager and deputy director at the airport from 1986 to 1996, before leaving to become director of operations at Omaha-Eppley Airfield in Omaha, Nebraska, before returning to Madison.
Under Livingston’s leadership, Dane County Regional Airport doubled the size of its terminal. The $150 million project included a parking structure, exit plaza, and numerous airfield improvements. Currently, there’s a $14 million snow removal equipment building project underway.
A native of Springfield, Illinois, Livingston is a graduate of Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, and holds the designation of Accredited Airport Executive.
For additional information about Dane County Regional Airport visit www.msnairport.com.
Dane County Regional Airport is a host airport for the Wisconsin Aviation Conference at the Madison Marriott West Hotel & Convention Center, April 29 – May 1, 2013. For details visit www.wiama.org or call Bob O’Brien, Executive Director of the Wisconsin Airport Management Association (WAMA) at 815-757-2869 or email: bob@thewisconsinriver.com.
