DAC reduces air fares for holiday travelers out of Watertown (Audio)

November 21, 2022
Mike Tanner

WATERTOWN, S.D.–The airline industry has been squeezed in recent months by jet fuel prices that have doubled.

Airlines have reacted accordingly by raising their fares, but Denver Air Connection (DAC) , which serves Watertown with non-stop flights to Denver and Chicago, is reducing fares for holiday travelers who book at least 21 days in advance.

Jon Coleman is a pilot for the airline, and serves as their Director of Business Development. He spoke with KWAT News….

DAC has been serving Watertown since July 1, 2021 under the federal government’s Essential Air Service (EAS) program, which provides the airline with subsidies to cover the cost of providing service. It’s a two-year contract that expires May 31, 2023.

Coleman says he’s happy with air passenger numbers in Watertown….

Coleman says it’s likely that Denver Air will submit a bid by the federal government’s December 19th deadline to continue serving Watertown under the EAS program.

Monthly passenger boardings on DAC out of Watertown in 2022:

January: 1,112

February: 951

March: 1,476

April: 1,333

May: 1,527

June: 1,699

July: 1,657

August: 1,319

September: 990

October: 1,012

TOTAL: 13,078