PIERRE, S.D. (KCCR) – Officials with the City of Pierre are responding to the news that SkyWest Airlines has offered a Chicago, Illinois option for Essential Air Service flights out of Watertown. City Commissioner and Airport Liaison Jamie Huizenga says the Watertown City Council has approved a recommendation to change the flight schedule, a move that requires approval from the United States Department of Transportation.

Should the U.S. DOT approve the change, Pierre and Watertown would no longer be tied together as they have been under previous EAS contracts.

He says the proposed change could make it easier to get to Denver from Pierre.

Officials in Watertown have hinted that the possible change, if approved by federal transportation officials could happened toward the end of summer.