The head of SkyWest Airlines has reaffirmed the company’s commitment to providing commercial air service to the Pierre and Watertown regional airports, despite the loss of a federal subsidy to help offset the cost of operation.
During a phone call yesterday (July 19, 2021) with South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem, SkyWest President and CEO Chip Childs said the company appreciates the support from customers and state and local officials. He said they’re committed to providing flights to Pierre and Watertown for the foreseeable future.
Noem says since SkyWest’s Essential Air Service contract ended July 1, 2021, the company has outperformed Denver Air Connection in enplanements at both the Pierre and Watertown airports. She told Childs she will continue urging the US Department of Transportation to re-bid the Pierre and Watertown EAS routes, hoping SkyWest will be recognized for excellent service they provide, as well as the company’s part in enhancing the state’s tourism numbers and economic growth.
In April 2021, the US DOT awarded Denver Air Connection the EAS contract to provide commercial air service at the Pierre and Watertown airports. SkyWest had held the federal contract for the two years prior.
Both Denver Air Connection and SkyWest, flying as United Express, book their flights through the United.com website. Most days, each company provides two non-stop flights from Pierre to the Denver International Airport. For Watertown, the two companies offer flights east to Denver and west to Chicago O’Hare International Airport.
Previously, Noem has sent a letter to US Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg asking USDOT to re-bid the EAS contracts for both Pierre and Watertown.
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