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 Air Force One cleared for landing
"Man, is that thing ever huge!" You'd think folks who see aircraft take off and land on a daily basis would be rather non-chalant about just another landing, but this was no ordinary landing. On September 28, The Dane County Regional Airport once again welcomed President Barack Obama and Air Force One to Madison. It wasn't just the plane that was impressive, though. The visit required intense coordination among agencies like the Secret Service, the National Guard, Airport Operations, Airport Rescue and Fire, Madison Police and the Dane County Sheriff's Office. Naturally, most of the details aren't made public, even if the visit might cause concerns for commercial air travelers. "The arrival of a dignitary, such as the President of the United States, can create delays for commercial aircraft," said Airport Director Bradley Livingston, "but the Secret Service is very sensitive about the impact those visits place on airports and makes every effort to avoid long disruptions of commercial air service." With only weeks to go until election day, chances are pretty good that more VIP's will be entering Dane County's airspace. If one of those visits should coincide with your air travel plans, check with your airline first to see if your flight could be delayed. Also, allow yourself extra time to get to the airport to avoid traffic delays that accompany a visit by a dignitary. This was President Obama's second visit to Dane County since his election in 2008. |
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Flight Tracker back on track
We at the Dane County Regional Airport recently became aware that our flight tracker service was no longer available on the airport's web site. That led to some head scratching, and suffice it to say we were baffled as to what happened to it. However, thanks to Dane County's fabulous IT Department, we were able to restore the service. This is a nifty feature that allows you to see accurate, real time information about arrivals, departures, and delays. Check it out under the "Flight Status" tab at msnairport.com. Now, that's technology you can get on board with! |
Frontier and Midwest Airlines merge reservation systems
On October 1, Republic Airways Holdings, Inc. announced that the reservation systems of both Frontier and Midwest Airlines are now one. That means that all tickets for both airlines will now be purchased through FrontierAirlines.com.
Republic announced in April that it would merge Midwest and Frontier under the Frontier name. In an article in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Republic's vice president for marketing and branding said the creation of one reservation system for both airlines is "a significant step toward integrating the two carriers." Republic plans to integrate Midwest and Frontier's frequent flier programs later this fall. Frontier began serving the Dane County Regional Airport in May 2010. |
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A moooving experience
 Forgive the bad pun, but how else can you describe an event that draws a crowd the size of a small city? The annual World Dairy Expo was held at the Alliant Energy Center September 28 through October 2, and as usual drew tens of thousands of exhibitors, farmers, and others involved in the dairy industry, from around the world. The Dane County Regional Airport always looks forward to welcoming participants to the World Dairy Expo, one of the largest annual events that is held in Madison.
Meanwhile, a conference of "epic" proportions was held, not coincidentally, at the Epic Systems Conference Center in Verona. The 2010 Annual Users Group Meeting was held the week of September 19 and attracted 5,500 people, a 40% increase over last year. The annual event allows customers to network and learn from one another about how they've used the company's healthcare software.
 And once again, the honor was ours, as the Dane County Regional Airport welcomed World War II veterans and their families for another Badger Honor Flight on Saturday, October 2. Over 100 veterans and escorts were flown to Washington, D.C. to see the memorials erected in their honor! What a privilege to host these men and women of the "greatest generation"! To make a donation so that other veterans can enjoy this experience go to www.badgerhonorflight.org |
 Traveling in style...
Looking for clothes that are perfect to travel in, or that aren't too casual for "casual Friday"? Check out the new display from Lands' End at the airport. Lands' End Canvas was first introduced in 1963, but has been updated to be...in their words, "rooted in function, but oriented toward possibility. Timeless style with modern twists that is effortless and versatile." If the display leaves you wanting more, check out Lands' End Canvas at 411 State Street in Madison, or visit them on the web at canvas.landsend.com
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 Have ring, will travel: Destination weddings grow in popularity
It used to be that only super models and rock stars could even think about exchanging vows on a beach or in a foreign locale, but destination weddings are no longer reserved for the rich and famous. In fact, local romance travel consultant Shannon Rae Grunewald says affordability is just one of the many reasons the destination wedding business is booming. Where the average traditional wedding costs about $25,000, Grunewald says a destination wedding--with everything included--runs between $6,000-$10,000. "Couples like them because they're all inclusive with everything from the travel, room arrangements, and all the details of the ceremony and reception taken care of so that the couple can just arrive and enjoy a memorable event." Grunewald says destination wedding planners can also handle the paperwork involved with getting married in a foreign country. She says the most popular destinations are Riviera Maya, Mexico and Jamaica, with an average group size of 10-30 people. But Grunewald admits destination weddings aren't for everyone. "Not everyone in the family, like a grandparent for example, may be able to make the trip. So, if that's a consideration, it might be best to keep the wedding closer to home." For more information visit All About Honeymoons and Destination Weddings.com. |
Our pride is showing...
On September 17, the Dane County Regional Airport was presented an outstanding achievement award for the airport's parking expansion project. The award was presented by the Wisconsin Section of the American Society of Civil Engineers to Michael Kirchner--the director of engineering for the airport--on behalf of the county and a host of technical experts involved in the project. Congratulations all! |
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Coming soon: Nonstop to 13 cities - Connections to the world
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TRAVEL DEALS
Some of the Madison travel deals seen on airfarewatchdog.com this past week on the Dane County Regional Airport website are:
Boston, $108 RT
Dallas, $158 RT
Washington, $168 RT
San Francisco, $238 RT
If your travel dates are flexible, you'll have an easier time finding seats at these fares. Inquire soon, as fares may change.
The fares are on various airlines.
Check each airline's
website regularly for special offers.
Delta Airlines
 | | Delta begins daily, non-stop flights from Madison to Atlanta on November 3
Book your trip today |
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Booked for flight
Whether you have an appetite for adventure...or an adventurous appetite...Food and Travel Magazine can wet your whistle and help you calm your cravings with some of the best locations in the world to explore cuisine (albeit with a decidedly British accent. What is a "Gourmet Bolthole", anyway?).
The November issue, available now, features chocolate as the cover story. Need one really say more?
If there's a travel book, magazine, web site, or travel tip you'd like to share, let us know. E-mail us at info@msnairport.com.
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Next month in Aircurrents
The holidays are drawing near, and so is one of busiest seasons for air travel. We'll have tips on how to make your holiday travel as smooth as possible. |
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