In the coming weeks, the United States Department of Transportation will begin the process of determining what company will receive the federal contract to provide commercial air service to the Pierre Regional Airport.
Denver Air Connection is the current contract holder.
Pierre City Commissioner Jamie Huizenga says it’s a bidding process that happens every two years.
Huizenga says a handful of city staff are involved in the EAS bidding process.
Denver Air Senior Vice President of Corporate Strategy Jon Coleman told DRG Media Group that they want to continue to serve the Pierre area.
An Essential Air Service contract provides federal subsidies to make the cost of flights more affordable for travelers. The USDOT makes the ultimate contract agreements, but does give EAS communities the opportunity to review the proposals and make a recommendation.
DAC currently provides 12 flights per week between Pierre and the Denver International Airport. Through September 2024, over 10,000 (10,035) people have flown out of the Pierre Regional Airport.
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