When compared to outbound passenger numbers at other federal Essential Air Service airports around the United States, the Pierre Regional Airport’s ranking is sky high. City Commissioner Jamie Huizenga says the information is based on Transportation Security Administration data from Jan. 11-Feb. 7 , 2026. https://media-cdn.socastsrm.com/wordpress/wp-content/blogs.dir/2626/files/2026/03/031826-huizenga-eas.mp3 SkyWest/United Express is the current federal Essential Air Service contract holder for the Pierre Regional Airport. They currently provide 12 weekly round-trip flights between Pierre and the Denver International Airport. SkyWest also serves the Watertown Regional Airport. From there, they provide Delta flights to Minneapolis-St. Paul, and United Express flights to Denver. The federal Essential Air Service program provides a subsidy to the company providing service in order to maintain flight options at small airports around the country. As a designated EAS airport, if an airport surpasses the 10,000 enplanements (outbound passengers) number within a year, it becomes eligible to receive $1-million from the U.S. Department of Transportation to help support airport operations. ...read more read less