The Trump administration has lifted its hold on a critical aviation grant for Dubuque Regional Airport, freeing up $1.5 million the airport had earlier been promised to restore passenger air service. The grant reimburses the airport for money it has paid to Denver Air Connection to restore daily service to Chicago O’Hare International Airport. The subsidy is necessary while the new carrier gets off the ground in Dubuque, which had been without daily air service for two years. Dubuque Regional Airport Director Todd Dalsing said last month that he was unable to access funds from a U.S. Department of Transportation payment portal to reimburse the airport for the first $424,000 of a federal Small Community Air Service Development program grant it had been promised in 2023. The grant provides a minimum revenue guarantee for Denver Air Connection.
