April 3, 2025:
The United States Department of Transportation has awarded SkyWest (April 1, 2025) the next Essential Air Service contract for the Pierre Regional Airport.
They will take over operations June 1, 2025.
Pierre City Commissioner Jamie Huizenga says this is a four-year contract, rather than the typical two year contract, under which SkyWest will be flying as United Express.
Audio PlayerHuizenga says SkyWest is working on getting their system set up to take reservations from Pierre.
Audio PlayerSkyWest will continue to provide 12 weekly flights from Pierre to the Denver International Airport, but what their exact flight schedule will be is still being worked out.
While local officials do get to provide input regarding which company they prefer, the USDOT makes the ultimate decision. SkyWest was chosen over the other two bidders: current EAS contract holder Denver Air Connection and Wisconsin Air.
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.
February 20, 2025:
If the U.S. Department of Transportation approves SkyWest Airlines as the Essential Air Service provider for the Pierre and Watertown airports, both airports could be entering uncharted territory.
Following about three years of regulatory challenges, paperwork dated Feb. 13, 2025, shows that the USDOT tentatively approved SkyWest Charter’s application to operate as a commuter air carrier, subject to certain conditions. The SkyWest subsidiary plans to operate public charter flights, which could include EAS communities, using 30-seat CRJ-200 aircraft.
Jamie Kogutek is a managing partner at consulting company Embark Aviation. He says if SkyWest receives an EAS contract it’s unclear as to whether or not the company needs permission from the USDOT in order to switch to flying the routes with SkyWest Charter.
Audio PlayerSkyWest Airlines is regulated under Part 121 rules, while SkyWest Charter falls under Part 135 rules. Kogutek explains the difference.
Audio PlayerKogutek says another difference between larger, Part 121 airlines and smaller, Part 135 airlines, can be availability of perks such as interline baggage agreements, mobile apps and connections to travel booking websites.
Audio PlayerThe USDOT makes the ultimate contract agreements, but does give EAS communities the opportunity to review the proposals and make a recommendation. Town officials in both Pierre and Watertown recommended that SkyWest Airlines get the new EAS contracts.
Denver Air Connection’s EAS contract expires at the end of May 2025. An EAS contract provides federal subsidies to make the cost of flights more affordable for travelers.
This was my main concern before the city of Pierre recommended Skywest for the EAS contract. I was assured that wouldn’t happen. But here they are, setting the stage to change the service provided to Pierre, before they have even gotten started.
There will be little difference whether SkyWest or SkyWest Charter provides this service. Both companies will link service to United Airlines with ticketing, mobile app and connecting bag service being the same. SkyWest Charter has the advantage of providing seats with much more leg space and comfort.