Aerodynamics Gets Contract to Fly to Pierre, Watertown

PIERRE, S.D. (AP) — The U.S. Department of Transportation has awarded contracts to Aerodynamics Inc. to provide federally subsidized air service to Pierre and Watertown.

Officials in both cities had recommended the carrier. Great Lakes Airlines has been serving the two cities, but local officials have become unhappy with what they consider poor service.

Great Lakes maintains that problems with delayed and canceled flights were the result of a pilot shortage caused by more stringent federal regulations.

Aerodynamics will fly 12 flights weekly from Watertown to Denver, stopping in Pierre, with 50-passenger jets.

The two-year federal contract runs from this August through July 2018.