Fares impacting Watertown air passenger traffic  (Audio)

November 14, 2022
Mike Tanner

WATERTOWN, S.D.–Passenger traffic at Watertown Regional Airport was down more than 20-percent from July to August, and higher fares by Denver Air Connection appear to be one reason why.

That’s what Mike Mooney told the Watertown Airport Board Monday…

Mooney is with an Indiana-based company called Volaire, which serves as Watertown’s aviation consultant.

He says those July to August numbers showed mixed results, with Watertown and Pierre–both served by Denver Air Connection–taking the biggest hit…

Mooney says he talked with Denver Air officials about their fare increase, and here’s what he told them…

Passenger boardings in Watertown are down compared to last year, but that’s primarily because there were two airlines serving the city last year, and now there’s just one.

Mooney says bids for the Essential Air Service contract to provide air service to Watertown are due next month, and Denver Air Connection will be bidding.