Denver Air Connection legal counsel writes U.S. DOT regarding Watertown air service

June 1, 2021
Mike Tanner

WATERTOWN, S.D.–There’s been no indication from the U.S. Department of Transportation that they will reconsider their decision to award Denver Air Connection (DAC) the Essential Air Service contract to serve Watertown.

Mayor Sarah Caron’s office and Governor Noem have written DOT asking them to re-bid the contract saying the current carrier, SkyWest Airlines, will provide superior service.

But Denver Air Connection’s legal counsel disputes that. In a letter dated May 26th, attorney Jeffrey Munk with Munk Policy and Law in Washington D.C. writes that Denver Air Connection has provided, “reliable, safe transportation throughout the Great Plains and Rocky Mountain states for sixteen years, despite statements by South Dakota local elected officials implying that DAC will not provide reliable service.”

Munk points to DAC’s on time departure rating of 98- percent, and its on time arrival rate of 97-percent.

Munk adds that Denver Air Connection will provide more reliable service by basing their aircraft in Watertown, instead of, “just passing through to pick up passengers as SkyWest does.”

Denver Air Connection begins serving Watertown July 1st with non-stop jet service to Chicago and Denver six days a week.