United Express prepares to exit Watertown, Pierre, but will they be back? (Audio)

December 23, 2021
Mike Tanner

PIERRE, S.D.–United Express pulls the plug on air service to Watertown and Pierre early next month.

The last day of flights out of the two cities will be January 3rd.

At this week’s city commission meeting, Pierre City Commissioner Jamie Huizenga read a letter from SkyWest Airlines, doing business as United Express, thanking the city for its parternship…

SkyWest was the Essential Air Service provider for Watertown and Pierre before losing that contract in a bidding process earlier this year. Huizenga says the letter he received indicates they’d be interested in coming back….

Both Watertown and Pierre will continue to be served by Denver Air Connection in the new year.

In Watertown’s case, that means continued non-stop jet service to Denver and Chicago.

Watertown Regional Airport had more than 16,000 passenger boardings in the first 11 months of this year.