Commercial air travel out of ATY off to a sluggish start in 2023

March 6, 2023
Mike Tanner

WATERTOWN, S.D.–Passenger traffic at Watertown Regional Airport is off to a slow start this year.

February enplanement numbers show 778 passengers flew out in February. The breakdown was 319 passengers to Chicago, and 459 to Denver.

It’s the second straight month the number has been below 800. Last year, Watertown had 14,444 enplanements, or an average of 1,203 per month.

There are a couple factors in play. Travel numbers tend to dip in the winter months, and several flights out of Watertown were cancelled last month due to bad weather.

The city is looking to jump start the performance of air travel out of Watertown. Last month, the city council terminated their contract with airport consultant Volaire Aviation of Fishers, Indiana.

That move came less than one year into what was suppose to be a two year contract.