Flights at La Crosse airport cancelled due to FAA cutbacks | La Crosse

The Brief

• Flights at La Crosse Regional Airport have been canceled Monday and Tuesday due to air traffic controller shortages

• The FAA began cutting air traffic Friday because of staffing issues related to the government shutdown

• Travelers can use Amtrak or Jefferson Lines bus service as alternatives to reach Chicago and Minneapolis

LA CROSSE (WKBT) — Flights at La Crosse Regional Airport have been cancelled as the Federal Aviation Administration reduces air traffic due to a shortage of air traffic controllers.

All flights from La Crosse connect through O’Hare International Airport in Chicago, and flights traveling in and out of La Crosse were cancelled Monday. At least two flights are canceled for Tuesday.

“I went on a trip this summer to South Carolina, and it took us two days to get there and two days to get back. It was bad enough in the summer, I can’t imagine. I wouldn’t even consider planning a trip on a plane,” said resident Nancy Rogers. 

Travelers looking to leave La Crosse have alternative transportation options available. Amtrak provides service to Chicago and Minneapolis, offering an alternative to air travel.

In a statement to News 8 Now, a spokesman for Amtrak said, “As air travel becomes less reliable, more people are choosing the convenience of rail—a trend that began before the government shutdown and any flight cancellations. With strong Thanksgiving demand already picking up, we encourage customers to book early to ensure the best availability.”

Travelers can also use Jefferson Lines bus service, which makes stops throughout the Midwest.

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