What a difference a year makes at Watertown Regional Airport
May 6, 2021
Mike Tanner
WATERTOWN, S.D.–They’re not at pre-pandemic levels yet, but passenger boardings at Watertown Regional Airport continued to rebound last month.
Airport Manager Todd Syhre says 680 passengers boarded flights in April.
That’s a stark contrast to April 2020, when just 45 people flew out of the airport as the coronavirus was gaining steam.
Pierre saw 964 boardings last month, compared to 41 in April 2020.
Both cities could see a switch in air carriers this summer.
The U.S. Department of Transportation has awarded a two-year Essential Air Service contract to Denver Air Connection to serve Watertown and Pierre beginning July 1st. But the current carrier, SkyWest Airlines, is asking the U.S. DOT re-bid the contract.