You can’t fly out of or into Watertown and Pierre right now on an airline. 

The company that has the contract to provide essential air service to the communities abruptly stopped the service. 

The snow impacted travel across KELOLAND Friday, but the wintry weather had nothing to do with the flight cancellations in Pierre and Watertown. 

“The service has been unreliable at best,” Watertown Mayor Sarah Caron said. 

In addition to cancelling flights, California Pacific Airlines has also failed to pay many of its bills. 

“Whether it’s business travel or leisure travel, people can not just find out an hour before they’re supposed to leave that their flight has been canceled,” Caron said.

Leaders from both Pierre and Watertown have sent a letter to the Department of Transportation urging them to either get California Pacific to be more reliable or find another airline to provide the service. 

“We’re the state capital, so we have state employees and federal employees. We have business people who have to fly,” Pierre Mayor Steve Harding said.

“We’re not nearby to other airports. We have no other airlines that people can take, so it will shut business down,” Caron said.

Businesses and residents that are hoping for sunnier days.

“It’s something we absolutely have to have,” Caron said.

KELOLAND News reached out to California Pacific Airlines but has not heard back. 

The DOT has issued a request for proposals for new airlines to serve the community. The deadline is January 30. 

If you have a flight booked with the airline, you should contact CP Air directly at customerservice@mycpair.com or 855.505.9394.

Here is another good resource for impacted travelers.