Dane County Regional Airport
4000 International Lane
Madison, Wisconsin 53704
Phone: 608-246-3380
Press Releases for Dane County Regional Airport:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 1/30/2008
Airport launches advertising campaign to raise awareness of non-stop flights and ease of use
Raising awareness of the increased air service, terminal amenities and overall ease of using Dane County Regional Airport (DCRA) is the aim of a new advertising campaign – It’s all about the journey – to be launched in February.
The campaign's goal is to increase the awareness of airline destination availability and emphasize the ease of use of local airport facilities. As more passengers choose DCRA for their air travel, airlines potentially see Dane County as a place to expand service.
“There’s a reason the Dane County Regional Airport was recently rated among the 20 most notable airports in the entire world. From many new non-stop destinations for business and tourism travel along with our incredibly beautiful new terminal, using our airport is easy, comfortable, and just makes sense,” said Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk.
The Dane County Regional Airport now has over 110 daily departures and arrivals, serving 15 domestic non-stop destinations, with connecting flights worldwide.
Airport Director Bradley Livingston said, “It is important for area consumers to be aware of our non-stop destinations and to encourage use of the outstanding, new aviation facilities which provide for a less stressful environment for air travel."
“Our airport is vital to putting southcentral Wisconsin’s people and businesses into the global economy, promoting the international exchange of ideas, products and investment opportunities,” said Bill White, Airport Commission chair. “That’s why it’s so important to raise awareness.”
The $70,000 year-long advertising campaign, created by Glowac Harris marketing services firm, of Madison, is currently scheduled to include radio ads on WIBA-AM, WOLX and WHLK radio stations, Adams Outdoor billboards on the beltline and on Aberg Avenue, and print ads in In Business magazine. Due to partnerships with the ad venues providing matching radio time and ad space, the campaign is worth $140,000.
The airport’s campaign features such phrases as, “Non-stop business. Nice,” “World travel. Local joy,” and “What are you missing?”
No tax dollars are used for the campaign, which is supported exclusively through airport revenues.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 1/3/2008
Dane County Airport Named to Worldwide "Top 20" List
Dane County Regional Airport (DCRA), Madison, WI, has been named one of the “Top 20” of the world’s most noteworthy airports for 2008 by Passenger Terminal World, a leading trade publication, which airs the views and opinions of experts in the field of passenger terminal facilities, design, technology, security, operations and management. It is published in Britain and distributed worldwide.
Critical overall to the judges was the service and speed of flow through terminals. DCRA was singled out for its “environmental build programme.” In its most recent terminal expansion project, the airport recycled 97 percent of all waste, incorporated recycled materials, and adopted green building and energy saving strategies throughout construction.
The publication stated, “Airport construction is currently being criticized by a multitude of environmental groups around the world. …Dane County airport, Madison, Wisconsin, continues to win awards for its design and environmentally friendly build programme.” It also said, “The building will provide a beautiful gateway airport for Madison and is unique in the global airport construction business.”
“The county airport's focus on environmentally friendly building designs and work have resulted in this prestigious designation as one of the top ranked airports in the world," Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk said.
“Our commitment to green building makes sense both environmentally and financially. We’re pleased to be recognized as a leader in the field,” said Airport Director Bradley Livingston.
Also on the Top 20 list were:
Heathrow Airport, London (tops in three categories)
McCarran International Airport, Las Vegas
Toronto Pearson International Airport
Copenhagen Airport, Denmark
Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport
Charles De Gaulle International Airport, Paris
Philadelphia International Airport
Frankfurt International Airport, Germany
O.R. Tambo International Airport, Johannesburg, South Africa
Incheon International Airport, South Korea
Dulles International Airport
Stansted International Airport, UK
Changi Airport, Singapore
Norwich International Airport, UK
Zurich Airport, Switzerland
Bilbao Airport, Spain
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, Netherlands
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 10/4/2007
Dane County Airport Breaks Ground for 3-Story Parking Ramp Addition and "Green" Exit Building
Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk today turned the first ceremonial shovel-full of dirt at a groundbreaking ceremony for construction of a new three-story parking ramp addition and exit plaza building at the Dane County Regional Airport.
“The convenience of using our airport gets even better as we add more parking just footsteps across the street from the terminal,” said Falk. “This project expands on the Prairie Style of our beautiful terminal and continues our commitment to green building.”
The 500,000 square foot parking ramp will be adjacent to the existing four-story ramp, adding 1,240 parking spaces. Earlier this year International Lane, which loops in front of the terminal and around the parking ramp, was moved outward to open up space for building the ramp.
A parking demand analysis study conducted for the airport by Leigh Fisher Associates in September 2006 found that existing demand was greater than the supply of ramp parking and forecasted a need for the additional spaces over the next 10 years.
The project also includes a new, 2,000 square foot exit plaza, with six exit gates and a parking administration office. The airport is seeking LEEDTM certification as a green building for the exit plaza construction, with the following environmentally friendly attributes:
· Water efficient plumbing fixtures providing a 40 percent reduction in potable water use
· Use of high recycled content materials and products including structural steel, gypsum wallboard, carpeting and aluminum windows
· Use of materials with no or low volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in products including carpeting, paints and all adhesives, creating a healthier work environment.
· Maximizing natural daylight and views to save energy and provide a better work environment
· Optimizing energy performance of the heating and cooling systems to not only save energy, but also to be more responsive to occupant needs.
· Diverting at least 75 percent of all construction waste from landfills and into recycling programs
· Water efficient landscaping with native plants, and requiring no irrigation.
The $30 million project has a targeted completion date of fall 2008, and will be paid for with airport operating revenues over 10 years. No county property taxes are used for the project.
J.H. Findorff & Sons, Inc., Madison, won the bid to serve as general contractor for the project. The architects are Eppstein Uhen Architects, project consultants were Graef, Anhalt, Schloemer & Associates, Inc., and landscaping is provided by Ken Saike Landscaping, all Madison firms
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 7/9/2007
Midwest Airlines Launches Madison to Kansas City Nonstop Route
Midwest Airlines representatives joined airport officials at Dane County Regional Airport today (7/09/07), handing out Midwest’s signature baked-onboard chocolate chip cookies to passengers in honor of Midwest’s new nonstop route from Madison to Kansas City.
The twice daily service, on a 50-seat regional jet, gets passengers to Kansas City in one hour and fifteen minutes, with Midwest's trademark chocolate chip cookies offered during the flight. Flights depart Madison at 6:55 a.m. and 3:05 p.m.
In addition to the convenience of nonstop service to Kansas City, the new route offers new connecting opportunities to the west coast, including San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Antonio, San Diego and Seattle. Kansas City becomes the 16th nonstop destination available from Dane County Regional Airport.
Dane County Regional Airport Commission Chair Bill White said, “Madison and Kansas City have great business synergies.” He pointed particularly to American Family Insurance, one of Dane County’s top employers, which has a regional office in St. Joseph Missouri, near Kansas City, with employees regularly traveling the route.