Key Takeaways
• SkyWest’s EAS flights from Watertown switch to Minneapolis-St. Paul, starting August 1, 2025, replacing the Chicago route.
• Federal subsidy for Watertown’s air service remains unchanged through the four-year EAS contract, ending May 31, 2029.
• Dual-carrier model offers direct flights to Denver (United Express) and Minneapolis-St. Paul (Delta Connection) using Bombardier CRJ-200.
Travelers in South Dakota are set to see a new air travel choice, as the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has approved a service change for SkyWest Airlines, connecting the city of Watertown to Minneapolis-St. Paul. Starting August 1, 2025, SkyWest Airlines will switch its Essential Air Service (EAS) flights out of Watertown from Chicago O’Hare International Airport to Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. This move is meant to give travelers in Watertown more travel options with better access to Delta’s large route network out of Minneapolis-St. Paul. The federal subsidy that supports these flights will not change, so passengers and airlines can count on stable funding through the length of the four-year EAS contract, set to run through May 31, 2029.
What This Change Means for Watertown Travelers
If you’ve flown out of Watertown before, you probably know that the city’s air service exists because of a federal program called Essential Air Service. EAS is designed to make sure smaller cities across the United States 🇺🇸 keep regular flights, connecting them to bigger airport hubs. Without EAS, it might not be possible for these cities to have commercial flights at all.
Up until now, SkyWest Airlines, working as United Express, has flown Watertown passengers to Chicago O’Hare. With the DOT’s new approval, these flights will, instead, head to Minneapolis-St. Paul. This means if you live in or near Watertown, you’ll have a direct link to Delta’s large hub at Minneapolis-St. Paul instead of Chicago’s. For many, this change will make trips both inside and outside the United States 🇺🇸 easier.
But that’s not the only change. SkyWest Airlines will keep offering flights to Denver International Airport as well, still under the United Express name. So, Watertown travelers will now have regular services to both Denver and Minneapolis-St. Paul, with two different airline partners—United and Delta—marketing these routes.
Here’s a quick look at the changes:
– The route to Chicago ends, replaced by Minneapolis-St. Paul.
– The flights to Denver will continue as before.
– Both routes will use the same type of plane, the Bombardier CRJ-200, which has 50 seats.
– The federal subsidy, which pays SkyWest Airlines to offer these services, stays the same.
– The number of flights each week won’t change.
How the SkyWest Airlines Dual-Carrier Model Works
If you’re wondering what a dual-carrier model is, it’s actually pretty straightforward. In Watertown, SkyWest Airlines will fly two sets of flights from the same airport, but each set will connect through a different airline partner. Passengers heading to Denver will see flights listed as United Express since they link to United’s route network. Those flying to Minneapolis-St. Paul will see flights presented as Delta Connection, giving them seamless access to Delta’s flights onward from there.
This dual approach gives travelers more choices when booking tickets, especially if they’re looking for the best price, most convenient schedule, or easiest connections to cities beyond the hub airports. The fact that flights to Minneapolis-St. Paul are now on the table means Watertown’s air service is better positioned to meet the travel needs of local residents, businesses, and anyone visiting the area.
Economic and Social Impact on Watertown and Greater South Dakota
Air connectivity has real effects on communities. When people can fly easily from a smaller city like Watertown to a big hub like Minneapolis-St. Paul, the whole area stands to gain. Here’s why:
– Business travel becomes easier, letting local companies connect with clients and partners across the country and around the world.
– Tourism is helped, because visitors can now fly into Watertown from many places, often needing only a single stop.
– Students and educational programs get support, as families and schools benefit from better travel options, both for new arrivals and outgoing students.
– Healthcare improvements can follow, too. People who need to travel for medical treatment outside their home region have a faster, simpler route.
– Family ties across the United States 🇺🇸 become easier to maintain, with simpler access for relatives visiting from places far away.
The change also means more direct access to important markets and job centers both in the Midwest and beyond, since Minneapolis-St. Paul is one of the country’s better-connected airports.
Why the DOT’s Approval Matters
The DOT’s stamp of approval carries weight because it ensures that flight changes serve the public interest, not just the airlines or airports. The DOT controls how federal subsidy dollars are given out under the EAS program, and it reviews changes like this one to make sure they help passengers.
In this case, all the numbers stay the same—the amount of the annual federal subsidy SkyWest Airlines receives does not change, and neither does the number of flights offered each week. The main difference is that people in Watertown will now travel through Minneapolis-St. Paul instead of Chicago for one of their main routes.
Because the contract with SkyWest Airlines runs from June 1, 2025, through May 31, 2029, this new arrangement is set to bring steady air service to Watertown for at least the next four years. VisaVerge.com’s investigation reveals that stable, predictable air links are key for communities in the EAS program, as any sudden loss or change in service can cause big problems for travelers and the towns themselves.
Broader Context: Essential Air Service, Rural Airports, and Federal Spending
The EAS program isn’t a new idea. It started decades ago, after U.S. airline deregulation in 1978, which allowed airlines to pick and choose their routes based on profit. After deregulation, many airlines dropped flights to smaller towns, leaving communities isolated. The government stepped in to fund flights to these places, making sure small cities like Watertown wouldn’t lose all commercial flights.
Today, the program is a lifeline for dozens of communities. EAS ensures that even if airlines can’t make money on certain routes, they’ll keep planes flying, with help from federal dollars. Passengers can book tickets just like on any other flight, and they get connections through big airport hubs.
The DOT reviews these contracts and route requests every few years. When a request like SkyWest Airlines’ comes up, the DOT looks at whether the new route will keep the community connected and whether it’s the best use of taxpayer money. In Watertown’s case, the move to Minneapolis-St. Paul gives travelers a new hub with plenty of onward connections, all without increasing the program’s cost.
Advantages for Immigrants and International Travelers
You might wonder why changing an airport hub would matter for immigration or international travel. The answer is that connections matter—a lot. When you’re coming to the United States 🇺🇸 as an immigrant, a student, or a business traveler, you often arrive at a big airport like Minneapolis-St. Paul, then need to reach a smaller city like Watertown.
The new SkyWest Airlines agreement makes this process easier. Instead of flying first to Chicago, you’ll land at Minneapolis-St. Paul, then catch a direct flight to Watertown. For many travelers, this means less time in the air, fewer chances for missed connections, and a smoother start to their stay in South Dakota.
Immigrants often have family and friends living all across the United States 🇺🇸, so having better flight options is important. Plus, if you’re visiting the United States 🇺🇸 for work, study, or even permanent relocation, faster and easier links to your new home can make a big difference.
For people dealing with U.S. immigration or customs documents, Minneapolis-St. Paul is also known for having good support services, including clear signage and staff familiar with many languages. This helps first-time travelers feel confident and comfortable on arrival.
If you want to know more about the Essential Air Service or air travel rules, you can visit the U.S. Department of Transportation’s official EAS program page.
What This Means for Airlines, Ticket Buyers, and the Local Airport
SkyWest Airlines stands out for being able to switch between United Express and Delta Connection branding. For the airline, it’s a way to fill more seats on each flight and keep the planes flying, all while meeting the DOT’s requirements. It also lets SkyWest Airlines offer a wider range of tickets to passengers without making new investments in bigger planes or new staff.
For ticket buyers—whether you’re a businessperson, a student, or just visiting family—this change should make booking tickets easier. More flights through Minneapolis-St. Paul generally means more choices for prices and schedules, since Delta’s hub there connects to so many U.S. and international cities.
The Watertown airport is also likely to see more passengers overall. Having two hubs to choose from—Minneapolis-St. Paul and Denver—can attract travelers who would’ve otherwise driven to Sioux Falls or another regional airport for their trips.
What About Travelers Needing Special Support?
Some travelers may need extra help when passing through an airport, especially people with disabilities, the elderly, or those who don’t speak English as their first language. Minneapolis-St. Paul is well known for having good accessibility, with plenty of staff available to help and clear signs to guide you to your gate.
The Bombardier CRJ-200 planes that SkyWest Airlines uses each seat 50 people and are small enough for quick boarding and deplaning. This can help people who might otherwise struggle with bigger, more complicated airports.
Immediate and Long-Term Impacts
In the short term, Watertown passengers can expect a change in their travel habits, as the Chicago route stops and the Minneapolis-St. Paul route begins. If you’re used to catching a morning flight to Chicago, you’ll need to check the new schedule and adjust your connections.
Long-term, the hope is that better links to the Delta network through Minneapolis-St. Paul could help the Watertown area attract more business investment, bring in more tourists, and keep local students connected to schools and universities far away. Reliable flights also help keep Watertown on the map for new Americans, including immigrants looking for a welcoming place to live and work.
Opposing Views and Concerns
Not everyone favors these changes. Some people in Watertown may prefer the old Chicago route, especially if they have business or family in the Chicago area. Switching to Minneapolis-St. Paul may mean a few travelers have to make longer drives on the other end or change to a different connecting flight.
There’s also the question of how reliable the new flights will be. Bad weather and busy runways at Minneapolis-St. Paul can sometimes lead to delays, but SkyWest Airlines has a strong record of keeping EAS flights on schedule and providing updates to passengers quickly.
The DOT will watch these changes closely. If the Watertown community finds the new Minneapolis-St. Paul service isn’t meeting its needs, there will be a review at the next EAS contract renewal.
Closing Thoughts and Advice for Travelers
For Watertown and the surrounding region, having both Denver and Minneapolis-St. Paul as destination choices means more travel options for all. The change gives residents, students, and businesses better ways to stay connected across the United States 🇺🇸 and beyond, with the stability of four more years of federal support.
If you’re thinking about booking travel from or to Watertown, check the updated schedules from SkyWest Airlines and see if flying to Minneapolis-St. Paul works better for you. If you’re an immigrant, a student, or a visitor arriving from overseas, these improved travel choices can help make your U.S. journey simpler and smoother. For official information about the EAS program or other U.S. air travel topics, be sure to visit the DOT’s Essential Air Service page, which covers all rules and updates about these flights.
As these changes go into effect in August 2025, Watertown’s links to both SkyWest Airlines’ airline partners, and through them, the rest of the country and the world, look set to be stronger than ever.
Learn Today
Essential Air Service (EAS) → A federal program ensuring small U.S. communities maintain scheduled commercial airline service through subsidies.
Federal Subsidy → Government financial assistance provided to airlines to ensure continuous flights to smaller, less profitable airports.
Bombardier CRJ-200 → A 50-seat regional jet aircraft commonly used for short-haul flights by SkyWest Airlines.
Dual-Carrier Model → A system where one airline operates flights branded under two different airline partners from the same airport.
Delta Connection → The regional airline branding for flights connecting smaller airports to Delta Air Lines’ larger route network.
This Article in a Nutshell
From August 2025, Watertown travelers can fly directly to Minneapolis-St. Paul, thanks to a DOT-approved route change for SkyWest Airlines. This shift, part of the Essential Air Service program, keeps subsidies stable and introduces increased flexibility, dual airline partners, and improved connections for international, business, and immigrant travelers in South Dakota.
— By VisaVerge.com
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