Watertown Regional Airport Manager Outlines Record Growth, Seasonal Hunting Flights, and New Revenue Programs

Northeast Radio SD News – Watertown, SD - Watertown Regional Airport Manager Ian Meriwether joined host Steve Jurrens on Northeast Radio SD to provide an update on the airport’s operations, shifting passenger trends, and ahead-of-the-curve land management programs. Now in its fourth year of operation, the terminal continues to see high customer satisfaction and notable traffic spikes.

Passenger Traffic and Route Adjustments

According to Meriwether, the airport has seen a very strong start to the year, maintaining growth through what are typically slower months for regional travel. He shared a monthly breakdown of 2026 enplanements:

·         January: Up 7%

·         February: Up 22%, marking a record-setting month for the airport

·         March: Down 7% due to severe inclement weather, which caused multiple cancellations at both the local terminal and Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport (MSP)

·         April: Up 14%

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LMnjlvB3Cug

Meriwether addressed past feedback regarding routes, noting that the Minneapolis route has consistently outperformed the former Chicago service. To capture specific traveler preferences and drive future expansion, the airport has implemented a QR-code customer service survey stapled directly to boarding tickets. This data will assist the city in demonstrating local demand to major airlines when pitching future direct routes to destinations such as Orlando, Portland, or Phoenix.

United Airlines Adds Seasonal Pheasant Hunting Leg

In response to localized seasonal demand, United Airlines is adding an additional flight leg between Denver and Watertown specifically for the upcoming pheasant hunting season.

Because this route caters heavily to visiting sportsmen, Meriwether urged hunters to carefully review TSA guidelines prior to arriving at the gate:

·         Firearms & Knives: All firearms and hunting knives must be completely unloaded and packed exclusively inside checked baggage. They are strictly prohibited in carry-on luggage.

·         Locking Cases: Firearms must be stored in a locked, hard-sided case. Meriwether emphasized that if a case (such as a Pelican case) features multiple lock holes, every single available hole must be secured with a padlock.

·         Ammunition: Ammunition must be properly housed and accounted for separate from the firearm.

We are pleased to announce that United Airlines has added an additional flight between Denver and Watertown for this year’s fall pheasant hunting season. Beginning October 15th through the end of November, the added service will operate on Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Sundays, featuring:

Innovative Soybean Farming and Pest Management

Fulfilling a fiduciary responsibility to local taxpayers, Meriwether discussed non-traditional revenue generation. While large hub airports draw up to 75% of their revenue from parking fees, Watertown prides itself on offering entirely free parking to its patrons.

To offset costs, the airport has issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) to transition surrounding excess airport land into managed agricultural ground for soybeans. Developed alongside USDA wildlife biologists, this farming strategy addresses safety and pavement preservation:

·         Ground Squirrel Suppression: Ground squirrels create burrow networks that cause severe erosion beneath airfield pavement panels, destroying backer rods and sealants. Disking the ground for soybean planting systematically collapses these burrows, driving the pests out toward perimeter fence lines where airport bait stations are located.

·         Bird Hazard Mitigation: Soybeans provide minimal nutritional value to local birds compared to raw grasses, effectively acting as an active deterrent for avian strikes. Additionally, the lease mandates that any residual post-harvest food waste must be entirely cleared within 24 hours.

·         Zoned Safety: All farming operations are strictly contained outside of runway safety areas and Instrument Landing System (ILS) critical zones.

Terminal Amenities and Public Events

The airport terminal continues to enjoy strong local vendor partnerships, including Quest Car Rental and Danger Von Dempsey’s restaurant. Currently opening daily at noon, Danger Von Dempsey’s will dynamically adjust its operational hours to match the upcoming seasonal flight schedules.

The community is invited to visit the airport on May 23 for the annual Touch-a-Truck event. This family-friendly event will showcase static displays of heavy city equipment, featuring the airport’s dedicated Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF) vehicle and its specialized multi-task MB5 snow removal truck. The popular hot dog cart will also be on-site to serve lunch.

To stay informed on flight promotions, seasonal adjustments, and real-time weather alerts, the airport manager announced the official launch of the airport’s new X account (formerly Twitter), expanding their existing digital reach across Facebook and Instagram. https://www.facebook.com/watertownregionalairport

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