Airport Director Todd Dalsing says the new flights to Vegas on Wednesdays and Saturdays will attract passengers from Iowa, Illinois, and Wisconsin. And the new service will help the local economy.
"We are able to maintain staff, but not only for working flights but also the Transportation Security Administration, or TSA, that works at security checkpoints, our restaurant, and our rental car operator Avis, Avis out of Dubuque, and Budget."
In March, Avelo began offering flights between Dubuque and Orlando. So far, 4,100 passengers have taken advantage of flights to Florida. And Dalsing says the addition of Las Vegas flights will boost the airport's annual statistics.
"To receive funding...it's called the airport improvement program. You have to have a minimum of 10,000 enplanements in a calendar year to receive a million dollars. If you have less than 10,000 then you receive $150,000. So it's important for our projects that we have going on in Dubuque to reach that 10,000 employment mark."
Avelo Airlines Chairman and CEO Andrew Levy said, "We have been very encouraged by the initial response to Avelo's arrival at DBQ and believe Las Vegas will be an equally popular addition."
Avelo is offering introductory, one-way fares between Dubuque and Las Vegas Harry Reid International Airport starting at $69.00.
