Dubuque Regional (KDBQ), Iowa
Landing essentials
Whether you can land, whether you can refuel, and how customs works here.
Overview
Dubuque Regional Airport (KDBQ) is a towered, public-use field in eastern Iowa serving as a business aviation waypoint roughly 138 nautical miles from its nearest major metro. The airport handles both piston and turbine traffic across two concrete runways long enough to accommodate a broad range of business jets. Fuel service includes both 100LL and Jet A, with tower operations running from 0600 to 2200 daily.
Runways
Dubuque Regional has two paved runways. The longest, 13/31, is 6,502 ft long and 100 ft wide, with a concrete surface.
Runway geometry from published threshold coordinates. Not for navigation.
Runways are listed longest first.
Source: FAA Form 5010.
Fuel and airfield services
Dubuque Regional has Jet A1+ and 100LL available on the field. Fueling is available from 6am to 10pm, daily, and the airport has an operating control tower.
Source: FAA Form 5010 / NASR.
Customs
Dubuque Regional does not clear customs. The nearest port of entry is Quad Cities International (KMLI), 58 NM away.
Source: CBP list of ports of entry.
Business aviation traffic
Dubuque Regional recorded 3,799 business aviation movements in 2025. Traffic peaks in October. Business aviation traffic at KDBQ concentrates in the spring through fall months, with October showing the highest monthly volume and winter months showing the lowest, according to FAA TFMSC data.
Business jet movements, FAA TFMSC count. Peak month October, 395 movements in 2025.
Source: FAA TFMSC, business jet movements, 2025.
Climate
Dubuque Regional averages 2.6 days above 90°F in July, 30.1 freeze days in January and 3.5 snow days in January. July is the warmest month, with average highs of 81.5°F, and January the coldest, at 26.5°F.
Weather station is on the field. Some values are estimated by the agency. 1991–2020 climate normals.
Source: NOAA NCEI.
Operating constraints
Dubuque Regional has published operating constraints in four categories: access, runway notes, pavement strength and other notes.
Aircraft departing runway 36 cannot see the approach ends of runway 31 and runway 18 for approximately the first 3,000 feet of takeoff roll.
Prior permission is required for unscheduled air carrier operations; contact the airport manager. ARFF Index B level equipment is provided.
When the control tower is closed, activate the MALSR lighting on runways 31 and 36, the MALS on runway 13, the REIL on runway 18, and the PAPI on runways 13, 18, 31, and 36, along with the HIRL on runways 13/31 and 18/36, via CTAF.
PCR VALUE: 440/R/D/W/T
PCR VALUE: 482/R/D/W/T
Waterfowl are present on and in the vicinity of the airport.
Fuel service is available 24 hours. Attended fuel service specifically covers 2200-0500.
A 100LL self-service fuel station is available at the T-hangars 24 hours a day. This area is not visible from the tower.
For clearance delivery, if unable to contact on the FSS frequency, contact Chicago ARTCC.
The dashed taxiway edge marking adjacent to taxiway A and the general aviation apron defines the movement and non-movement area boundary. The non-movement area boundary marking on the general aviation aprons is the wingtip clearance line, marking the taxiway object free area boundary.
Source: FAA Chart Supplement.
Nearby airfields
Dubuque Regional has five airfields within 39 NM. The closest is Platteville Municipal (KPVB), 20.86 NM northeast.
Source: Skystar calculation from official coordinates.
Skystar at KDBQ
We arrange catering, fuel and trip support here. Supplier prices reach you unchanged; our coordination fee sits on its own line.
The same order, priced two ways.
$2,400.00 catering order at KDBQ.
Unchanged.
What the kitchen invoices us is what your quote reads.
One line, fixed.
It does not move with the size of the order.
At cost.
Passed on at the exact amount the processor took.
Market practice figures are industry averages, not a specific competitor.
Frequently asked questions
Is there customs service at KDBQ?
Dubuque Regional Airport does not have onsite customs service. The nearest customs facility is at KMLI, located approximately 58 nautical miles away. Dispatchers planning international arrivals need to route customs clearance through that facility rather than at KDBQ. This distance should factor into fuel and timing plans for any flight requiring a customs stop before or after landing at Dubuque. Crews should confirm current procedures with the customs facility directly since KDBQ itself offers no onsite clearance option.
What are the runway options at Dubuque Regional (KDBQ)?
KDBQ offers two paved concrete runways for arriving and departing traffic. Runway 13/31 measures 6,502 feet long and 100 feet wide, making it the longest surface at the field. Runway 18/36 measures 6,327 feet long and 150 feet wide, offering a wider surface option. Both runways are concrete and support a range of business aviation aircraft. The choice between them typically comes down to wind conditions and the specific approach lighting configured for each runway end.
What lighting is available at KDBQ when the tower is closed?
Dubuque Regional Airport (KDBQ) has pilot-controlled lighting that activates via CTAF when the control tower is closed. Runways 31 and 36 are equipped with MALSR approach lighting systems. Runway 13 has MALS, and runway 18 has REIL. PAPI visual glideslope indicators are available on runways 13, 18, 31, and 36. High-intensity runway lights (HIRL) cover both runway 13/31 and 18/36, all activated through the common traffic advisory frequency.
Is fuel available at KDBQ outside staffed hours?
Fuel service at Dubuque Regional Airport is advertised as available 24 hours, with attended fuel service specifically noted for the 2200-0500 window. KDBQ also has a 100LL self-service fueling station located at the T-hangars, available 24 hours a day. That self-service area is not visible from the tower, so pilots using it operate outside direct visual tower observation. Jet A is also available at the field. Crews should plan fuel needs with these coverage windows in mind.
Does KDBQ see seasonal variation in business aviation traffic?
Yes, business aviation traffic at Dubuque Regional Airport (KDBQ) is concentrated in certain months rather than spread evenly across the year. Based on FAA TFMSC data for 2025, operations climb through spring and peak in October at 395 operations, with August also showing elevated activity at 373. Winter months show comparatively lower volumes, with February recording the lowest count at 231 operations. Dispatchers scheduling flights into KDBQ during the fall period should account for this higher relative traffic level when planning arrival and parking coordination.