Three Airlines Submit Bids To Serve Pierre With Essential Air Service

PIERRE, (KCCR) — Three regional airlines have submitted bids to serve Pierre with Essential Air Service for the next two and in some cases four years. Denver Air Connection has proposed 12 weekly round-trip flights to Denver. They are asking for five-point-nine million in subsidies for the first year and six-point-three million in year two. Denver Air is also proposing a third and fourth year subsidy at six-point-seven and seven-point-two million respectively. SkyWest is looking to get back into Pierre. Their bid is similar with 12 weekly round-trip flights to Denver, but SkyWest’s subsidy request is less. SkyWest is asking for five-point-four million in year one, five-point-six in year two with a four year option at five-point-eight and five-point-99. New to the bidding is Air Wisconsin. They are proposing 12 weekly round-trips to Chicago O’Hare with a second option for one-daily to Chicago and five round-trips to Denver each week for a total of 12. Air Wisconsin only has an interline agreement with American while Denver Air has interlines with United, American and Delta. SkyWest has a codeshare with United American, Delta and Alaska Airlines. Air Wisconsin is asking for a two year contract with a year-one subsidy of seven-point-four million and a seven-percent increase in year two. None of the airlines have proposed any flights to Minneapolis in their proposals.