PIERRE, S.D. (KCCR) – The City of Pierre is close the return of commercial air service to central South Dakota. Pierre Mayor Steve Harding says the public is invited to an open house Wednesday to welcome in the first United Express flight.

Harding says people seem to be taking advantage of the return to air service.

SkyWest was selected by the United States Department of Transportation to take over Essential Air Service to Pierre and Watertown after California Pacific Airlines ended service abruptly near the end of 2018. California Pacific left equipment in Pierre and still owes nearly $38,000 to the City of Pierre. Harding says the city has been told they will get what’s owed to them.

The process to re-establish air service to Pierre and Watertown, from the time California Pacific left to the expected start on Wednesday will be 72 days.