JANUARY 7, 2025: December was the third busiest month for outbound flights from the Pierre Regional Airport in 2024. That according to Pierre City Commissioner Jamie Huizenga. https://media-cdn.socastsrm.com/wordpress/wp-content/blogs.dir/2626/files/2024/12/010825-huizenga1.mp3 Pierre’s airport is partially funded through the federal Essential Air Service program, which means the U.S. Department of Transportation provides a subsidy to the commercial air carrier providing service in order to maintain flight options at small airports around the country. Huizenga says three companies submitted bids. https://media-cdn.socastsrm.com/wordpress/wp-content/blogs.dir/2626/files/2024/12/010825-huizenga2.mp3 While local officials do get to provide input regarding which company they prefer, Huizenga says the USDOT makes the ultimate decision. https://media-cdn.socastsrm.com/wordpress/wp-content/blogs.dir/2626/files/2024/12/010825-huizenga3.mp3 Additionally, an EAS airport, if Pierre goes over the 10,000 boardings number in one year, it’s eligible to receive $1-million from the USDOT. Denver Air Connection currently provides 12 round trip flights each week between Pierre and the Denver International Airport. 2024 enplanements from Pierre Regional Airport: January– 971. 883 Denver/88 MSP February– 910. 827 Denver/83 MSP March– 1002. 929 Denver/73 MSP April– 867. 814 Denver/53 MSP May– 1200 June– 1284 July– 1272 August– 1169 September– 1360 October– 1538 November– 1767 December– 1431 Total for 2024– 14,711   DECEMBER 11, 2024: South Dakota’s pheasant hunting season kept the Pierre Regional Airport busy again last month. City Commissioner Jamie Huizenga says November shows the highest number of enplanements so far this year. https://media-cdn.socastsrm.com/wordpress/wp-content/blogs.dir/2626/files/2024/10/121124-huizenga1.mp3 Despite strong numbers the past few months, Huizenga anticipates the total number of boardings this year will be lower than in 2023. https://media-cdn.socastsrm.com/wordpress/wp-content/blogs.dir/2626/files/2024/10/121124-huizenga2.mp3 Pierre’s airport is partially funded through the federal Essential Air Service program, which means the U.S. Department of Transportation provides a subsidy to the commercial air carrier providing service in order to maintain flight options at small airports around the country. The contracts are for two years and Huizenga says service to Pierre is up for bid again. https://media-cdn.socastsrm.com/wordpress/wp-content/blogs.dir/2626/files/2024/10/121124-huizenga3.mp3 Denver Air Connection currently provides 12 round trip flights each week between Pierre and the Denver International Airport. In October, Senior Vice President of Corporate Strategy Jon Coleman told DRG Media Group that they want to continue to serve the Pierre area and will be submitting a bid for the contract. As the EAS bidding process gets underway, the Pierre Regional Airport will be under new management, so to speak. Current Airport Manager Brian Cowles has resigned, with today (Dec. 11, 2024) being his last day. Last week (Dec. 3, 2024), the city commission approved the hiring of former City Engineer John Childs to serve as the interim airport manager. While local officials do get to provide input regarding which company they prefer, the USDOT makes the ultimate decision.   OCTOBER 2, 2024: After hitting a low in April, the number of people flying out of the Pierre Regional Airport has steadily increased each month. City Commissioner Jamie Huizenga says 1360 people chose to fly out of Pierre last month. https://media-cdn.socastsrm.com/wordpress/wp-content/blogs.dir/2626/files/2024/09/100224-huizenga.mp3 As a federal Essential Air Service airport, if Pierre goes over the 10,000 boardings number in one year, it’s eligible to receive $1-million from the US Department of Transportation. Denver Air Connection currently provides 12 round trip flights each week between Pierre and the Denver International Airport.   SEPTEMBER 9, 2024: After hitting a low in April, the number of people flying out of the Pierre Regional Airport has steadily increased each month. City Commissioner Jamie Huizenga says 1169 people chose to fly out of Pierre last month. https://media-cdn.socastsrm.com/wordpress/wp-content/blogs.dir/2626/files/2024/07/090924-huizenga.mp3 As a federal Essential Air Service airport, if Pierre goes over the 10,000 boardings number, it’s eligible for $1-million from the US Department of Transportation. Denver Air Connection currently provides 12 round trip flights each week between Pierre and the Denver International Airport. 2024 enplanements from Pierre Regional Airport: January– 971. 883 Denver/88 MSP February– 910. 827 Denver/83 MSP March– 1002. 929 Denver/73 MSP April– 867. 814 Denver/53 MSP May– 1200 June– 1284 July– 1272 August– 1169   JULY 2, 2024: The number of people flying out of the Pierre Regional Airport in June 2024 was the most of any month so far this year. City Commissioner Jamie Huizenga says 1284 people chose to fly out of Pierre last month. https://media-cdn.socastsrm.com/wordpress/wp-content/blogs.dir/2626/files/2024/06/070324-huizenga1.mp3 Huizenga says commercial air carrier Denver Air Connection continues to provide consistent service. https://media-cdn.socastsrm.com/wordpress/wp-content/blogs.dir/2626/files/2024/06/070324-huizenga2.mp3 As a federal Essential Air Service airport, if Pierre goes over the 10,000 boardings number, it’s eligible for $1-million from the US Department of Transportation. Denver Air Connection currently provides 12 round trip flights each week between Pierre and the Denver International Airport. 2024 enplanements from Pierre Regional Airport: January– 971. 883 Denver/88 MSP February– 910. 827 Denver/83 MSP March– 1002. 929 Denver/73 MSP April– 867. 814 Denver/53 MSP May– 1200 June– 1284 2023 enplanements from the Pierre Regional Airport: January– 944 February– 972 March– 1137 April– 1045 May– 1378 June– 1433 July– 1440 August– 1257 September– 1333 October– 1534 November– 1794 December– 1329. 1230 Denver/99 MSP Total for 2023– 15,617   JUNE 5, 2024: May 2024 enplanements from the Pierre Regional Airport were higher than they were last month, but lower than they were in May 2023. City Commissioner Jamie Huizenga says 1200 people chose to fly out of Pierre last month. https://media-cdn.socastsrm.com/wordpress/wp-content/blogs.dir/2626/files/2024/05/060524-huizenga1.mp3 As a federal Essential Air Service airport, if Pierre goes over the 10,000 boardings number, it’s eligible for $1-million from the US Department of Transportation. Huizenga says the cost of flying out of Pierre has gotten more competitive with some of the larger airports in the area. https://media-cdn.socastsrm.com/wordpress/wp-content/blogs.dir/2626/files/2024/05/060524-huizenga2.mp3 Denver Air Connection currently provides 10 round trip flights each week between Pierre and the Denver International Airport and 2 weekly round trip flights between Pierre and Minneapolis. The MSP flights will return to Denver flights after this coming Sunday (June 9, 2024). 2024 enplanements from Pierre Regional Airport: January– 971. 883 Denver/88 MSP February– 910. 827 Denver/83 MSP March– 1002. 929 Denver/73 MSP April– 867. 814 Denver/53 MSP May– 1200.   MAY 8, 2024: April 2024 enplanements from the Pierre Regional Airport were lower than they were last month and also lower than in April 2023 (130 and 178, respectively). City Commissioner Jamie Huizenga says 867 people flew out of Pierre last month, the lowest number they’ve seen in quite some time. https://media-cdn.socastsrm.com/wordpress/wp-content/blogs.dir/2626/files/2024/04/050824-huizenga1.mp3 Of the 867 people, 814 went to Denver and 53 went to Minneapolis-St. Paul. Huizenga says the cost of flying out of Pierre has gotten more competitive with some of the larger airports in the area. https://media-cdn.socastsrm.com/wordpress/wp-content/blogs.dir/2626/files/2024/04/050824-huizenga2.mp3 Denver Air Connection currently provides 10 round trip flights each week between Pierre and the Denver International Airport and 2 weekly round trip flights between Pierre and Minneapolis. The MSP flights will return to Denver flights after June 9, 2024. As a federal Essential Air Service airport, if Pierre goes over the 10,000 boardings number, it’s eligible for $1-million from the US Department of Transportation. 2024 enplanements from Pierre Regional Airport: January– 971. 883 Denver/88 MSP February– 910. 827 Denver/83 MSP March– 1002. 929 Denver/73 MSP April– 867. 814 Denver/53 MSP   APRIL 3, 2024: March 2024 enplanements from the Pierre Regional Airport were nearly 100 more than they were in February. City Commissioner Jamie Huizenga says the route to Denver continues to see steady usage. https://media-cdn.socastsrm.com/wordpress/wp-content/blogs.dir/2626/files/2024/03/040324-huizenga1.mp3 Huizenga says the numbers on the Minneapolis flights continue to be “disappointing.” https://media-cdn.socastsrm.com/wordpress/wp-content/blogs.dir/2626/files/2024/03/040324-huizenga2.mp3 Mayor Steve Harding encourages people to use the routes to Minneapolis. https://media-cdn.socastsrm.com/wordpress/wp-content/blogs.dir/2626/files/2024/03/040324-huizenga3.mp3 Denver Air Connection provides 10 round trip flights each week between Pierre and the Denver International Airport and 2 weekly round trip flights between Pierre and Minneapolis. Denver Air also holds the EAS contract for the Watertown Regional Airport. From there, people can fly to either Denver or Chicago. As a federal Essential Air Service airport, if Pierre goes over the 10,000 boardings number, it’s eligible for $1-million from the US Department of Transportation. 2024 enplanements from Pierre Regional Airport: January– 971. 883 Denver/88 MSP February– 910. 827 Denver/83 MSP March– 1002. 929 Denver/73 MSP April– 867. 814 Denver/53 MSP   MARCH 6, 2024: February 2024 enplanements from the Pierre Regional Airport were about 60 fewer than they were in January. But, City Commissioner Jamie Huizenga says the foggy weather was partially to blame. https://media-cdn.socastsrm.com/wordpress/wp-content/blogs.dir/2626/files/2024/03/030624-huizenga1.mp3 Huizenga says the Minneapolis flight will hopefully see increased traffic. https://media-cdn.socastsrm.com/wordpress/wp-content/blogs.dir/2626/files/2024/03/030624-huizenga2.mp3 Denver Air Connection provides 10 round trip flights each week between Pierre and the Denver International Airport and 2 weekly round trip flights between Pierre and Minneapolis. Denver Air also holds the EAS contract for the Watertown Regional Airport. From there, people can fly to either Denver or Chicago. As a federal Essential Air Service airport, if Pierre goes over the 10,000 boardings number, it’s eligible for $1-million from the US Department of Transportation. 2024 enplanements from Pierre Regional Airport: January– 971. 883 Denver/88 MSP February– 910. 827 Denver/ 83 MSP