American Airlines is resuming daily nonstop flights from Rapid City to Phoenix.
The flights have been suspended since the pandemic began. They’ll resume June 3.
Deputy Airport Director Tony Broome says it’s a sign that travel is picking up. But the airport is not back to normal yet.
“Passenger counts are definitely still down, but we are recovering. We’re recovering a little bit quicker than the rest of the country because we are a leisure destination.”
Broome is expecting a busy summer for the airport. She says many people are deciding to vacation domestically rather than internationally. And she says South Dakota’s wide open spaces are drawing tourists.
Rapid City Regional Airport offers 26 nonstop routes to 24 destinations.