PIERRE, S.D.(DRGNews)- If the U.S. Department of Transportation agrees with the recommendation submitted by Pierre city government, the company providing commercial air service at the Pierre Regional Airport would change when the next Essential Air Service contract begins in June.

Companies submitting offers were current EAS contract holder Denver Air Connection; previous EAS contract holder SkyWest; and Wisconsin Air.

Of the three bids that were submitted, Pierre City Commissioner Jamie Huizenga (high-zin-ga) says they’re recommending that the bid from SkyWest be the one that’s chosen.

Huizenga says the three bids had some similarities.

Huizenga says one thing that set SkyWest apart was it’s relationship with United Airlines and the benefits that come with it.

With the potential for a four-year EAS contract instead of the typical two-year contract, Huizenga says having service from SkyWest would provide consistency, especially during the Pierre airport’s busiest time of year– the fall pheasant hunting season.

An Essential Air Service contract provides federal subsidies to make the cost of flights from regional airports more affordable for travelers. EAS communities get to review the proposals and make a recommendation, but the USDOT makes the ultimate decision.