Dane County Airport Passengers Up 8% This Year

The airport logged nearly 2.5 million passengers last year and added a direct flight to Fort Myers, Florida.

Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Air Travel

Dane County Airport Passengers Up 8% This Year

Live Poll

Do you plan to fly out of Madison's Dane County airport in the next few months?

Dane County Regional Airport's passenger count rose 8% from last year, and the airport now ranks as the fastest-growing small-hub airport in the nation this year. A new direct Breeze Airways flight from Madison to Fort Myers, Florida, began Oct. 21, joining Raleigh and Boston as the third nonstop destination added to the city's service this year.

Why it matters

Jet fuel price increases following the U.S.-Israel war on Iran have pressured major airlines to shut down routes, reduce flight options and raise ticket prices. For Madison residents, the growth reflects rising demand at a time when the airport's terminal checkpoints are nearing capacity.

The airport logged nearly 2.5 million passengers last year, a record, with the current year's count up 8% from last year. The Fort Myers flight flies on Wednesdays and Saturdays, starting at $79 one way, and the source does not report how many seats are sold on the route.

The players

Dane County Regional Airport

The Madison-area commercial airport whose passenger growth and expansion plans are the subject of this story.

Federal Aviation Administration

The U.S. federal agency that is covering 90% of the $5.8 million cost of the airport's master plan.

Breeze Airways

A low-cost U.S. airline that operates the new direct flight between Madison and Fort Myers, Florida.

The details

The airport is adding 700 parking stalls to its economy lot, which charges $10 per day, and is pursuing an inline baggage screening system to improve queue management. A $5 million runway repair project completed in October patched 1,100 locations on one runway, and the airport launched a new master plan on Sept. 10 with the FAA covering 90% of its $5.8 million cost.

Last year: Airport logged nearly 2.5 million passengers, a record.
July of last year: Papko returned as the airport's top administrator.
Sept. 10: Airport launched its new master plan.
October: $5 million runway repair project was completed.
Oct. 21: Fort Myers direct flight began.

Season Trajectory

The airport's 8% growth and fastest-growing small-hub ranking come as airlines cut routes in response to surging jet fuel prices. The FAA's 90% cost share on the $5.8 million master plan shows federal support for capacity expansion even as carriers pull back.

Travelers flying from Madison can now book a nonstop to Fort Myers starting at $79 one way on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Those parking at the airport should plan for the $10 daily rate in the economy lot, which will grow by 700 stalls as construction proceeds.

The takeaway

Madison's growth in passengers and new nonstop routes shows regional demand is holding up even as fuel costs squeeze the airline industry. Travelers should watch fares and parking changes as the airport's expansion moves forward through 2029.

What happens next

Parking lot construction may begin as soon as next spring and continue to the end of next year, and terminal changes are anticipated to start late next year and continue through 2029.