COVID-19 pandemic wipes out air traffic in Watertown (Audio)

April 13, 2020
Mike Tanner

WATERTOWN, S.D.—The COVID-19 pandemic has wiped out all the momentum Watertown Regional Airport was enjoying with non-stop jet service to Chicago and Denver via Skywest Airlines.

During Monday’s Airport Board meeting via conference call, Airport Manager Todd Syhre said business is down more than 90-percent..…..

He says airport staff is doing all it can to keep the terminal clean….

Syhre says even in the worst of times, the airport will stay open…….

Syhre says Skywest is waiting on an answer from the federal Department of Transportation on whether they can cut the 12 weekly departures from Watertown in half….

Syhre says plans for a new fuel farm at the airport have been put on hold for the time being, but design work continues on a new terminal, and that project could go out for bid this summer.