Watertown Regional Airport

Geared for Growth

Flying High with a New Commercial Service and the Capacity for Economic Expansion

 

You only have to talk to Ian Meriwether-Chalfant, Airport Manager with Watertown Regional Airport, to feel a tangible excitement about what is going on at this dynamic regional hub.

It is not only the airport’s obvious upward trajectory that has Meriwether-Chalfant in an optimistic frame of mind, but it’s also the projects underway to improve the airport that keep  Meriwether-Chalfant motivated as we quickly travel through 2026.

With a new commercial service that has increased aviation numbers on target to outshine last year’s record numbers, the room to encourage new business growth, as well as the capacity to increase its general aviation footprint, there is much to be beaming about.

“The airport went through a carrier transition in August, and we are only in the first couple of quarters of the new service out here with SkyWest Airlines, but it’s been great.”

“We had three bidders, which included Air Wisconsin, Denver Air Connection, and SkyWest, and SkyWest ultimately won the bid.”

“As we start off the new year, we have been up over 2025’s numbers. January enplanements are up at 946. In February, we were up to 1076, a 23 percent increase over 2025. February has been a record month for us,”  Meriwether-Chalfant asserts.

With a thriving flight school at the airport, Meriwether points out, single and multi-engine flights make up some of the 27,000 operations, as well as corporate, commercial, and other general aviation.

Training the Next Aviation Generation

Meriwether-Chalfant acknowledges that the labor shortage remains an ongoing issue in the aviation sector and feels that, with two flight schools based at the airport, Watertown Regional is playing its part in helping to fill some of those gaps.

Watertown is home to both the Lake Area Technical College and the airport’s FBO, ATY Aviation, which also offers flight training.

“The flight school [Lake Area Technical College] is actually going to be expanding,”  Meriwether-Chalfant adds.

“The air program is essentially full, and next year they have to start turning students away.”

“They offer a two-year degree, and it is part of the area’s tech college. Students are also offered an A&P side, mechanic side to transition students into the MRO world,”  Meriwether-Chalfant relays.

Airport Improvement Projects Flying High

With this increased interest in aviation training, coupled with the increases in corporate and commercial aviation numbers, Meriwether-Chalfant is keenly focused on upcoming projects in the airport capital plan to help facilitate growth and provide the very best infrastructure to expand its services and meet the capacity needs.

Meriwether-Chalfant notes that with the airport’s jet bridge and the terminal upgrade, the airport is on the road to match the increased aviation demand it is experiencing.

“With SkyWest coming in, it is very nice to have a facility with a  jet bridge that has heat and air, which is a primary concern when you are enplaning and deplaning passengers, especially out here in South Dakota, where it can get down to negative 25 outside.”

“I have worked at facilities where there will be a million and a half enplanements, but the jet bridges don’t have heat or don’t have air and require repair,” he says.

In recent years, the airport has undergone an extensive terminal upgrade, which has positioned it well to accommodate further aviation growth while catering to passenger comfort and flight crew efficiency upon arrival and departure.

“Dempsey’s Restaurant is at the airport, where you can get good pizza and great food, sit down and have a couple of drinks while waiting for your flight,”  Meriwether-Chalfant describes.

“The terminal is close to quadruple the size of our old terminal. There are brand-new ticket counters, kiosks with United and Delta, which can expedite check-in for passengers.”

To complement the impressive upgrades already completed,  Meriwether-Chalfant points to the current airport improvement project, the lengthening of taxiway Charlie for better design flow.

“It is good that we can elongate taxiway Charlie, so we are fully parallel with one seven three five as well as with taxiway Bravo. We will be resetting the pavement during the process.”

Once completed, the extension will reflect a more standard taxiway layout, eliminating what is currently a sharp turn to arrive at the terminal apron.

The airport will then be setting its sights on repaving taxiway Alpha next year, as part of its overall capital infrastructure improvement plan.

“This summer, we are also trying to push getting utilities moved out to a substantial area of airport lands to unlock about 30 more spots for private hangars. This is going to be a really big push of mine. My goal is to to that all finalized have this done by this summer,” he explains.

A Route to Economic Impact and Expansion

Viewing the airport as an economic driver for the region and a gateway to economic expansion,  Meriwether-Chalfant makes clear that the airport “is always open to business development.”

‘We are open to discussions, and we have a ton of space out here. Plenty of developable area and quick connections to the airfield, so any sort of aeronautical company that wants to come, we welcome them with open arms,” he states.

The last economic impact study was conducted in 2020,  Meriwether-Chalfant recalls. The study pointed to Watertown Regional and the lands adjacent, which determined the airport is responsible for approximately 25 million dollars in economic impact for the region.

With the necessary utilities in place, the potential for business growth is extremely strong, and  Meriwether-Chalfant has planned out how this would look.

“There are two spots that could be utilized and will need to move utilities and develop those in stages,” he highlights. “ We will develop it in  200 by 200 blocks, and that way the costs are not overbearing.”

Currently, the airport leases to two substantial aviation businesses, which include Fast AG Air and Buffalo Ridge Aviation.

With a road leading to the area already completed, there is efficient access, and the acreage is ripe for development to take place, according to  Meriwether-Chalfant’s business expansion plans.

A Personal Aviation Journey

Taking the helm of Watertown Regional was a natural next step in  Meriwether-Chalfant’s aviation career journey.

With an airport management degree under his belt and a passion for all things aviation,  Meriwether-Chalfant began his management career in the position of Operations Technician with Rapid City Regional Airport.

With the necessary experience earned, Meriwether-Chalfant landed an Operations Supervisor position in Portland, Maine.

“When this position at Watertown opened up, I jumped on it because I love being in the Midwest and it feels like home for me.”

When asked what he loves most about his job and some of the challenges that he faces that come along with a high-level airport management position, he is quick to answer.

“There is a myriad of different issues and so many different avenues of what can happen in a single day that you have to be prepared for it.”

“It’s not just business development, it’s not just marketing, it’s not just compliance and regulatory work, it’s community engagement.“I think that is what I really love about my job.”

“I love being at a smaller airport and engaging with everyone. At a smaller airport, you get face time and staff time.”

As for the challenges that come with the job,  Meriwether-Chalfant points to “switching off.”

“You get calls at two in the morning, pilots need to know the local conditions, and you are always aware of social media and how campaigns are performing, as well as the ideas that you have that you could do tomorrow or the next day,” he summarizes.

The GPS Route Ahead

As the pieces of the airport master plan fall into place,  Meriwether-Chalfant has his sights set firmly on providing a first-in-class passenger and pilot experience from landing to take off.

The terminal provides the amenities and additional comfort and efficiency that passengers and flight crews are looking for, and infrastructure improvements will provide for a seamless airport experience once on the tarmac.

As for Meriwether-Chalfant, the positives outweigh the challenges of running a growing airport with much to look forward to.

‘I love where I’m at, love the city, and the staff is amazing,” he exudes.

AT A GLANCE

Who: Watertown Regional Airport

What: A thriving and fast-growing airport implementing projects to ensure growth is met with the necessary critical infrastructure

Where: Watertown, South Dakota, USA

Website: www.watertownregionalairport.com