In an effort to bring international flights, travelers and business to the Madison area, leaders at the Dane County Regional Airport are pursuing official international designation.
The move would be beneficial for tourism and business, said Dane County Executive Melissa Agard, who is leading the effort. The hope is that people could eventually fly direct to international destinations like Canada and Mexico.
“I know that this initiative will enhance global connectivity, strengthen our regional economy and attract more visitors and businesses to Dane County,” Agard said. “As well as allow the people who already live here in Dane County to be able to be more connected with the world around us.”
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The effort follows the Dane County Regional Airport’s second-highest annual traveler count ever in its 85-year history. In 2024, nearly 2.35 million passengers flew through the airport, just short of the record set in 2019, before the pandemic. The numbers were especially strong at the end of 2024.
“And what we’ve seen so far in 2025 shows that this is continuing,” Agard said.
International status will bring new business opportunities, officials said.
The process could take years. The airport’s international designation will ultimately need approval from the U.S. Secretary of the Treasury.
The airport, known by the three-letter code “MSN,” will also need to provide space for federal officials to operate in the international airport. That includes building out a U.S. Customs and Border Protection facility.
“We are collaborating with our state and federal partners, aviation officials and the business community in order to advance this initiative,” Agard said. “And it will be a priority as we conduct our interviews for the next director of the Dane County Airport.”
‘You need to come to Madison, Wisconsin’
Officials said the status change will bring more international travelers, boosting business at local shops, restaurants and hotels.
Ellie Westman Chin, president and CEO of the tourism organization Destination Madison, agrees. She said an international airport would be good for both the events and casual travelers her organization supports.
“This is a very exciting opportunity for us, because it opens up a wider field of visitors that could be coming into Madison,” Westman Chin said.
She said she often hears international travelers want to experience smaller cities, outside of major destinations like New York City and Chicago, that represent “real America.”
“I said, then you need to come to Madison, Wisconsin, because we are rooted in the Midwest, and we are ‘real America,’” Westman Chin said.
She said having an international airport nearby would make it easier for Destination Madison to get people to events they help host.
“We host quite a few conventions and sporting events that are international draws,” Westman Chin said.
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