Pierre Regional Airport preparing for no more services coming from SkyWest

PIERRE, S.D.(DRGNews)- SkyWest, flying as United Express, will end its commercial air service at the Pierre Regional Airport early next month, but a reduction in the number of flights to Denver isn’t the only change that comes with the company’s departure.

City commissioner Jamie Huizenga  says the easiest way for travelers to scheduled flights depends on where they want to go. He says people can use Denver Air Connection’s website, if Denver is your final destination.

Huizenga says another travel possibility is if you’re going beyond Denver via United Airlines or one of its partner companies.

Denver Air Connection has an interline agreement with United, so if you’re continuing on past Denver on a domestic flight served by United or a partner company, your bags will automatically be transferred.

If flying beyond Denver using one of the other commercial air carriers or you are flying internationally, Huizenga says check the respective company’s websites.

If booking a trip using a travel website, he says one site seems to be better about showing availability of flights from Pierre to Denver than others.

SkyWest is also leaving the Watertown Regional Airport. Denver Air Connection’s Essential Air Service contracts for both the Pierre and Watertown regional airports goes through May 2023.

SkyWest will learn by the end of the month whether they will retain Essential Air Service for the Aberdeen & Bemidji Regional Airports.