The city commission has approved a lease for Pierre’s newest commercial air carrier.
Denver Air Connection (DAC) will begin service to Denver International Airport from Pierre Regional Airport on July 1, and you’ll be able to find them at the second ticket counter at the Pierre terminal.
“The lease is the standard one that we use for our Essential Air Service contracts,” said Cameron Howard, Airport Manager. “It provides Denver Air Connection with administrative space within our terminal, as well as access to gate space, the baggage area, and other shared space used for flight operations.”
The lease has a two-year term to align with the federal Essential Air Service (EAS) contract held by DAC.
In April, the U.S. Dept. of Transportation (USDOT) awarded DAC an EAS contract to provide commercial air service at the Pierre Regional Airport. When awarded an EAS contract, commercial airlines receive a federal subsidy to make air service reliable and affordable in remote communities like Pierre.
Howard says that the airport is in an unanticipated situation.
“When Denver Air fires up in July, we’ll have two commercial airlines at the airport. SkyWest will continue to operate out of their current ticket counter.”
SkyWest has held the federal contract to provide Pierre with EAS service for the last two years. Although DAC was awarded the newest federal contract, SkyWest will also continue to offer flights between Pierre and Denver.
“We’ll have a busy airport with four commercial flights departing and arriving in Pierre most days,” said Howard.
To book flights with either DAC or SkyWest or to look at their flight schedules, visit united.com.