March continues strong pace of travelers flying out of Pierre Regional Airport; USDOT gives next EAS contract for Pierre to SkyWest

April 1, 2025:

Six more people flew out of Pierre in March 2025 than did in February.

City Commissioner Jamie Huizengasays the March enplanements are also a little higher than they were in March of 2024.

Huizenga also announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation has awarded SkyWest the next Essential Air Service for the Pierre Regional Airport. They were chosen over the other two bidders: current EAS contract holder Denver Air Connection and Wisconsin Air. Pierre city government officials told USDOT that they wanted SkyWest to get the bid, with a primary reason being SkyWest’s relationship with United Airlines and the benefits that come with it.

While local officials do get to provide input regarding which company they prefer, the USDOT makes the ultimate decision. SkyWest will take over commercial air service for Pierre in June.

Pierre’s airport is partially funded through the federal EAS program, which means the USDoT provides a subsidy to the commercial air carrier providing service in order to maintain flight options at small airports around the country. As an EAS airport, if Pierre goes over the 10,000 boardings number in one year, it’s eligible to receive $1-million from the USDOT to help support airport operations.

March 5, 2025:

February was another strong month for enplanement numbers from the Pierre Regional Airport in 2025.

City Commissioner Jamie Huizenga says about 50 more people flew out of Pierre in February than did in January.

Pierre’s airport is partially funded through the federal Essential Air Service program, which means the U.S. Department of Transportation provides a subsidy to the commercial air carrier providing service in order to maintain flight options at small airports around the country.

As an EAS airport, if Pierre goes over the 10,000 boardings number in one year, it’s eligible to receive $1-million from the USDOT. Total enplanements from Pierre in 2024 were 14,711.

Pierre’s EAS contract is up for renewal this year.

Three companies submitted bids. Those were current EAS contract holder Denver Air Connection; previous EAS contract holder SkyWest; and Wisconsin Air. Pierre city government officials are recommending that the bid from SkyWest be the one that’s chosen because of it’s relationship with United Airlines and the benefits that come with it.

While local officials do get to provide input regarding which company they prefer, the USDOT makes the ultimate decision.

Denver Air Connection currently provides 12 round trip flights each week between Pierre and the Denver International Airport.

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February 5, 2025:

January started the year off strong as far as the number of outbound flights from the Pierre Regional Airport in 2025.

That, from Pierre City Commissioner Jamie Huizenga.

Pierre’s airport is partially funded through the federal Essential Air Service program, which means the U.S. Department of Transportation provides a subsidy to the commercial air carrier providing service in order to maintain flight options at small airports around the country. Pierre’s contract is up for renewal this year.

Three companies submitted bids. Those were current EAS contract holder Denver Air Connection; previous EAS contract holder SkyWest; and Wisconsin Air. Pierre city government officials are recommending that the bid from SkyWest be the one that’s chosen because of it’s relationship with United Airlines and the benefits that come with it.

While local officials do get to provide input regarding which company they prefer, the USDOT makes the ultimate decision.

Denver Air Connection currently provides 12 round trip flights each week between Pierre and the Denver International Airport.

As an EAS airport, if Pierre goes over the 10,000 boardings number in one year, it’s eligible to receive $1-million from the USDOT. Total enplanements from Pierre in 2024 were 14,711.