Dane County Regional Airport

For the Air National Guard use of this facility, see Truax Field Air National Guard Base.

Dane County Regional Airport
Truax Field
Summary
Airport typePublic
Owner/OperatorDane County
ServesMadison, Wisconsin
OpenedSeptember 1937 (1937-09)
Time zoneCST (UTC−06:00)
 • Summer (DST)CDT (UTC−05:00)
Elevation AMSL887 ft / 270 m
Coordinates43°08′24″N 089°20′15″W / 43.14000°N 89.33750°W / 43.14000; -89.33750
Public transit accessBus interchange Metro Transit
Websitemsnairport.com
Maps
2019 FAA airport diagram
2019 FAA airport diagram
MSN is located in Wisconsin
MSN
MSN
Location of airport in Wisconsin
MSN is located in the United States
MSN
MSN
MSN (the United States)
Interactive map of Dane County Regional Airport
Runways
Direction Length Surface
ft m
18/36 9,006 2,745 Concrete
3/21 7,200 2,195 Concrete
14/32 5,846 1,782 Concrete
Statistics (12 months ending January 2026 except where noted)
Passenger volume2,417,000
Departing passengers1,218,000
Scheduled flights16,240
Cargo (lb.)25 mil
Aircraft operations (2022)76,218
Based aircraft (2024)163
Sources: airport website,[1] FAA,[2] BTS[3]

Dane County Regional Airport (DCRA) (IATA: MSN, ICAO: KMSN, FAA LID: MSN), also known as Truax Field, is a civil-military airport located 6 nautical miles (11 km; 6.9 mi) northeast of downtown Madison, Wisconsin.[2] In the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems for 2025–2029, it is one of two airports in Wisconsin that is categorized as a small-hub primary commercial service facility; the other is Appleton International Airport.[4] It is the second busiest of eight commercial airports in Wisconsin in terms of passengers served after Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport.[3]

History

In 1927, the City of Madison purchased 290 acres of land for $35,380. Previously a cabbage patch for a nearby sauerkraut factory, the newly acquired land would later become the present-day home of the Dane County Regional Airport.[5] In January 1936, the city council voted to accept a Works Progress Administration grant for the construction of four runways and an airplane hangar. Additional grants financed the terminal and administrative building as well as electric floodlights. The development price tag was $1 million – 10% paid by the city and the remainder by the federal government.[6][7] In September 1938, Barnstormer Howard Morey of Chicago; Edgar Quinn; and J.J. McMannamy organized the Madison Airways Corporation.

The airport during construction, June 1937

The airport was renamed Truax Field and activated as a U.S. Army Air Corps airfield in June 1942 during World War II. It was named for Madison native, Lt. Thomas "Bud" Truax, who died while training at the base in November 1941.[5] The base's activation brought an influx of service members and their families to Dane County, and their pocketbooks helped to boon the community's wartime economy.[8]

During World War II, the field was used by the Army Air Corps Eastern Technical Training Center, a major school operating at Truax AAF for training radio operators and mechanics.[8] The airport later expanded to training in radar operations, control tower operations, and other communications fields for the Army Airways Communication Service. A unit established in 1943 trained radio operators and mechanics on B-29 Superfortress communications equipment. The host unit on the airfield was the 334th (later 3508th) Army Air Corps Base Unit. On September 17, 1945, the airfield's mission was changed to that of a separation center and it was closed as an active AAF airfield on November 30, 1945.

Conveyed to local civil authorities, the Madison Municipal Airport became the home to the 1st Battalion 147th Aviation Regiment. The 1-147th operates the UH-60M Blackhawk Helicopter and has deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. The airport is also home to the Wisconsin Air National Guard and its present-day 115th Fighter Wing (115 FW), an Air National Guard fighter wing operationally gained by the Air Combat Command (ACC). Today, the Air National Guard's Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II operates at the base. The 115th Fighter Wing is one of the 14 operational air defense units responsible for air defense of the eastern continental United States.

On December 15, 1966, a 31,000 square foot terminal building opened on the west side of the airfield at a cost of $2.36 million. The first scheduled jets were Northwest Orient 727s in 1965. In 1986, the airport tripled in size with a $12 million project that expanded the terminal from 32,000 square feet to 90,000 square feet, adding a second-level concourse with six boarding bridges.[6]

In 2006, the airport completed a $68 million expansion that doubled the size of the terminal, built in a Frank Lloyd Wright-influenced prairie style designed by the Architectural Alliance based in Minneapolis.[9] The new terminal accommodates 13 gates with jetways, WiFi, additional restaurant and retail vendors post-security, an art court, and both business and family lounges. The airport has also continued to expand its parking options, most recently in 2014.

On February 7, 2018, the airport announced a significant terminal modernization program, including replacement of existing jet bridges and design work beginning in 2018 as well as major construction including additional jet boarding bridges beginning in 2019.[10] The county is also planning to add an 8 MW solar energy site on airport-owned land.[11]

In 2021, the airport began construction on an $85 million expansion of the terminal dubbed the South Terminal expansion. This project adds three additional gates that can accommodate larger aircraft. The new terminal contains two stories with 45,000 square feet of public space. The first floor consists of 45,000 square feet of maintenance workshops and infrastructure. The concourse floor above includes the new gates, a restaurant, a play area for children, a nursing suite for mothers and a service animal relief area.[12][13][14] The south terminal expansion was completed, and formally opened, in June 2023.[15] As part of this expansion, three new gates were added to the airport. In addition to this expansion, development has begun on three additional gates.[16]

Control tower

In February 2025, DCRA announced that it would formally apply for an international airport designation from the U.S. Treasury Department. The designation would allow passengers to fly directly to and from international destinations and satisfy customs requirements.[17][18]

Facilities

Parking garage

Runways

Dane County Regional Airport covers 3,500 acres (1,416 ha) with a field elevation of 886.6 feet (270.2 m) above mean sea level. It has three concrete runways: the primary runway 18/36 is 9,006 by 150 feet (2,745 x 46 m); 3/21 is 7,200 by 150 feet (2,195 x 46 m); 14/32 is 5,846 by 150 feet (1,782 x 46 m).[2][19]

The fixed-base operator (FBO) is Wisconsin Aviation,[20] which leased the assets of the former FBO, Four Lakes Aviation and Coldstream Aviation, in 1994.

In August 2024, there were 163 aircraft based at this airport: 92 single-engine, 7 multi-engine, 28 jet, 1 helicopter and 35 various military aircraft.[2]

Terminal

Panorama of terminal at Dane County Regional Airport, 2015

The terminal currently has 16 gates on one concourse.[21]

Pre-security amenities include a coffee shop and gift shop. The post-security side of the terminal includes two restaurants, a coffee shop, and three travel markets. The South Terminal expansion added an additional restaurant, a lactation room and a new post-security pet relief area.[12]

Ground transportation

Taxi service and transportation network company drivers (e.g. Uber and Lyft) are available outside the terminal. Rental car counters are located across from the baggage claim area. Many local hotels provide courtesy shuttle service to and from the airport.

Metro Transit serves the airport via Route D2 which offers direct service every 30 minutes to Downtown Madison including, the Capitol Square, State Street, the UW Campus and other points west.[22]

Both short and long-term parking are available in a large parking structure and in several adjacent lots.[23]

Airlines and destinations

Passenger

AirlinesDestinationsRefs
American Airlines Charlotte,[24] Dallas/Fort Worth,[24] Phoenix–Sky Harbor[25]
American Eagle Boston (begins June 18, 2026),[26] Charlotte,[24] Chicago–O'Hare,[25] New York–LaGuardia,[27] Philadelphia,[25] Washington–National[28]
Seasonal: Miami[25]
Breeze Airways Fort Myers (begins October 21, 2026),[29] Tampa[30]
Seasonal: Los Angeles,[31] Orlando,[32] Raleigh/Durham (begins May 8, 2026)[33] 		[34]
Delta Air Lines Atlanta,[35] Detroit,[36] Minneapolis/St. Paul
Delta Connection Boston (begins June 7, 2026),[37] Detroit,[38] Minneapolis/St. Paul,[39] New York–LaGuardia,[40] Washington–National[41]
Frontier Airlines Denver [24]
Sun Country Airlines Seasonal: Fort Myers,[42] Phoenix–Sky Harbor[42]
United Airlines Chicago–O'Hare,[43] Denver[24]
United Express Chicago–O'Hare, Newark
Seasonal: Denver


Statistics

Airline market share

Largest airlines at MSN (February 2025 – January 2026)[3]
Rank Airline Passengers Share
1 American 482,000 19.93%
2 United 404,000 16.73%
3 Delta 365,000 15.08%
4 SkyWest 330,000 13.66%
5 Republic 213,000 8.81%
— Other 623,000 25.78%

Top destinations

Busiest domestic routes from MSN (February 2025 – January 2026)[3]
Rank Airport Passengers Carriers
1 Chicago–O'Hare, Illinois 259,810 American, United
2 Denver, Colorado 143,930 Frontier, United
3 Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas 125,640 American
4 Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota 122,720 Delta
5 Atlanta, Georgia 99,340 Delta
6 Charlotte, North Carolina 97,130 American
7 Detroit, Michigan 93,800 Delta
8 Phoenix, Arizona 68,390 American, Sun Country
9 Washington–National, D.C. 52,230 American, Delta
10 New York–LaGuardia, New York 45,130 American, Delta

Passenger development

PassengersYear600,000900,0001,200,0001,500,0001,800,0002,100,0002,400,0001995200020052010201520202025PassengersAnnual passenger traffic

Accidents and incidents

  • On November 23, 1978, a hijacker crashed through a vehicle gate, drove to a North Central Airlines McDonnell Douglas DC-9, and boarded the aircraft. There were 23 passengers and crew on board. After the hijacker claimed to have a bomb in a trash bag, the passengers deplaned and the crew escaped. The hijacker then locked himself in the cockpit and threatened to burn the plane. Police then boarded, broke into the cockpit and the hijacker arrested. No explosives were found. Charges were dismissed because of mental incompetence.[44]

See also

  • List of airports in Wisconsin
  • Metro Transit (Madison)

References

  1. ^ "Dane County Regional Airport". msnairport.com. Retrieved March 22, 2026., official website
  2. ^ a b c d FAA Airport Form 5010 for MSN PDF, effective February 20, 2025.
  3. ^ a b c d "RITA BTS Transtats - MSN". Bureau Of Transportation Statistics. Archived from the original on February 20, 2023. Retrieved April 14, 2026.
  4. ^ "NPIAS Report 2025-2029 Appendix A" (PDF). Federal Aviation Administration. October 28, 2024. Retrieved November 11, 2024.
  5. ^ a b Ginsberg, Maggie (July 12, 2022). "History lesson: flight lessons". Madison Magazine. Channel3000.com. Retrieved March 17, 2023.
  6. ^ a b "Dane County Regional Airport | Airport History". www.msnairport.com. Archived from the original on May 4, 2012.
  7. ^ Lee, Lauri (May 28, 2019). "Dane County Regional Airport celebrates 80 years June 23". Northside News. Retrieved March 22, 2026.
  8. ^ a b Rath, Jay (July 5, 2018). "Waiting for wings". Isthmus. Isthmus Community Media, Inc. Retrieved March 22, 2026.
  9. ^ "Dane County Regional Airport Opens to Rave Reviews". Architectural Alliance. November 2006. Archived from the original on November 13, 2009.
  10. ^ Kyzer-McHenry, Brent S. (February 7, 2018). "After Busiest Year In Its History, Airport Plans for Terminal Modernization". County of Dane. Archived from the original on January 4, 2022. Retrieved February 20, 2023.
  11. ^ Novak, Bill (March 6, 2018). "Massive solar energy site to provide power to Dane County Regional Airport". Wisconsin State Journal. Archived from the original on November 20, 2020. Retrieved February 20, 2023.
  12. ^ a b Hamer, Emily (June 9, 2021). "Dane County Regional Airport's $85M expansion to pave way for more flights, passengers". Wisconsin State Journal. Archived from the original on July 5, 2021. Retrieved February 20, 2023.
  13. ^ "Press Release: Dane County Regional Airport Celebrates Construction Milestone in Historic Expansion of Airport Terminal". countyofdane.com. Retrieved March 10, 2023.
  14. ^ "MSN Airport on Instagram: "We're almost ready to open up the new South Terminal to passengers! Here's a sneak peek to tide you over. #MSNAirport #ModernizingMSN #SouthTerminal"". Instagram. Retrieved March 10, 2023.
  15. ^ "Press Releases | Dane County, Wisconsin".
  16. ^ Garfield, Allison (June 8, 2023). "Dane County airport opens three new gates, three more to come". The Capital Times.
  17. ^ "Press Release". www.msnairport.com. February 28, 2025.
  18. ^ Yanny, Anna Marie (March 3, 2025). "Dane County Regional Airport leaders pursue international status". Wisconsin Public Radio.
  19. ^ "MSN airport data at skyvector.com". skyvector.com. Archived from the original on September 4, 2022. Retrieved February 20, 2025.
  20. ^ Wisconsin Aviation Archived February 24, 2007, at the Wayback Machine, the airport's fixed-base operator (FBO)
  21. ^ "Terminal Layout / Hours of Operation". Archived from the original on November 5, 2019. Retrieved November 5, 2019.
  22. ^ "Route D | Metro Transit, City of Madison, Wisconsin". April 19, 2023.
  23. ^ "Parking & Transportation". www.msnairport.com. Archived from the original on May 3, 2018. Retrieved May 2, 2018.
  24. ^ a b c d e "We're helping you navigate the Dane County Regional Airport". 6AM - 608today. May 12, 2025. Retrieved December 28, 2025.
  25. ^ a b c d Herrmann, Michelle (October 16, 2025). "The best regional airports in the U.S." TimeOut.com. Retrieved December 28, 2025.
  26. ^ Moen, Corey (December 18, 2025). "Dane County Regional Airport introducing nonstop flights to Boston". Channel3000.com.
  27. ^ "American Adds Six Routes". AirlineGeeks. May 3, 2025. Retrieved May 5, 2025.
  28. ^ Viviani, Nick (January 26, 2023). "American to offer daily, non-stop flights to D.C." WMTV NBC 15. Archived from the original on January 26, 2023. Retrieved February 20, 2023.
  29. ^ Jones, Kyle (March 17, 2026). "Breeze Airways announces non-stop service from Madison to Fort Myers". Channel3000. Retrieved March 17, 2026.
  30. ^ "Breeze Airways to offer new nonstop service from Tampa to Vermont, adds 4 total routes". FOX13TampaBay. November 8, 2023. Retrieved November 8, 2023.
  31. ^ "Breeze Airways Announces 11 New Routes and 3 New Cities". January 23, 2024. Retrieved January 23, 2024.
  32. ^ Bandt, Wyatt (February 7, 2024). "Dane County Regional Airport celebrates first non-stop flight to Tampa with new airline". WKOW. Retrieved December 28, 2025.
  33. ^ Stradling, Richard. "Breeze announces new flights, including ones to RDU's top unserved destination". News & Observer. Retrieved January 28, 2026.
  34. ^ "Breeze Airways Destinations". Archived from the original on April 15, 2022. Retrieved April 26, 2022.
  35. ^ Yahr, Natalie (May 10, 2022). "After pandemic drop off, travel at Dane County airport is taking off". The Cap Times. Retrieved December 28, 2025.
  36. ^ Rosen, Adam (May 27, 2025). "Delta flight from Minneapolis to Wisconsin delayed after pigeons cause chaos in cabin". WFRV Local 5 - Green Bay, Appleton. Retrieved December 28, 2025.
  37. ^ Swartz, Sam (December 27, 2025). "Next stop: Boston - new direct flight added at Dane County Regional Airport". www.wmtv15news.com. Retrieved December 28, 2025.
  38. ^ Ballard, Jerel (January 12, 2024). "Airport crews clear the way for smooth landing at Dane County Regional Airport". WKOW. Retrieved December 28, 2025.
  39. ^ Rosen, Adam (May 27, 2025). "Delta flight from Minneapolis to Wisconsin delayed after pigeons cause chaos in cabin". WFRV Local 5 - Green Bay, Appleton. Retrieved December 28, 2025.
  40. ^ Heidemann, Emile (October 5, 2021). "Delta Airlines to offer direct flights to New York from Madison". Wisconsin State Journal. Archived from the original on October 4, 2021. Retrieved February 20, 2023.
  41. ^ Jones, Kyle (October 3, 2023). "Dane County Regional Airport expands non-stop service to New York, Washington D.C." WMSN. Retrieved December 28, 2025.
  42. ^ a b Bach, Caroline (September 5, 2025). "Madison airport adds new destinations to seasonal nonstop flights". WKOW. Retrieved December 28, 2025.
  43. ^ Sopyla, Natalie (March 25, 2025). "Dane County Regional Airport seeking international designation". Spectrum News 1. Retrieved December 28, 2025.
  44. ^ "Accident description of North Central Airlines Attempted Hijacking 11/23/1978 at Aviation Safety Network". asn.flightsafety.org. Retrieved December 20, 2024.
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