(KXLG, WATERTOWN)- By September, people flying out of Watertown will likely have the choice between flying to Denver or flying to Chicago.
The Watertown City Council has approved a recommendation to the US Department of Transportation that would allow a change in the Essential Air Service schedule of SkyWest Airlines, doing business as United Express at Watertown and Pierre.
The move would eliminate one daily flight to Denver from Watertown and the evening flight back in exchange for adding a non-stop midday flight from Chicago to Watertown and a midday non-stop flight back out to Chicago.
Watertown Airport Manager Todd Syhre says it’s an overall win-win for both Watertown and Pierre.
Syhre says Pierre officials are also happy about the change because it unties both communities from each other, giving Pierre two daily non-stop flights to Denver and back and a guarantee of more seats.
Final approval will have to come from the USDOT, but Syhre says he’s been told by government officials there should be no problem making the changes.
He says flight survey data shows 60 percent of people flying from Watertown to Denver are linking back east, indicating a stronger market going that direction.
