RAPID CITY, SD (3-5-06) – United Airlines announced last week the schedule of service for Rapid City through the end of October.  It is a marked improvement over the previous year.

In synopsis, United Airlines will have 3 daily round trip flights to Chicago during the peak summer months.  On the Denver connection, United will be phasing out several of the turbo-prop flights and replacing them with 50 passenger regional jets.  During the peak summer months, United will operate 5 jet flights, and 3 turbo prop flights to Denver.  Currently, United is not operating any jets between Rapid City and Denver.

Daily service to Chicago will begin on April 24th, with a 2nd daily flight to begin May 27th, and a third flight starting on June 7th .  The service will continue through Labor Day weekend.

Peak Flight Schedule:
Depart                       Dep/Arr                    Arrive
Rapid City                 Chicago                     Rapid City    
6:15am                      9:16am (arr)
                                 9:45am(dep)              11:00am
1:00pm                      4:11pm (arr)
                                 2:55pm(dep)               4:15pm
4:50pm                      8:01pm (arr)           
                                  7:55pm (dep)             9:15pm  

A single daily flight to Chicago is scheduled to continue through the current scheduling period which ends October 1

“Our hats are off to United Airlines for stepping up the level of service to Rapid City.” said Mason Short, Airport Executive Director. “They have had very good success with the Chicago route so the additional flight this summer makes good sense – and the Denver aircraft upgrades have been promised for some time, and we’re glad to see the 30 passenger turbo-props leaving for good”

In spite of the recent downturn in passenger numbers at the airport, which is primarily due to Northwest’s and Delta’s reduction in capacity, United Airlines’ action shows that the air tourism market for the Black Hills, especially the international visitors connecting through Chicago, is vibrant.

In June 2005, United launched the first non-stop service to Chicago in the history of the Rapid City airport and those seasonal flights were extremely successful in both 2005 and 2006.

Short mentioned that while the Chicago service upgrade is seasonal, United is growing more optimistic about the potential of continuing year round service from Rapid City to Chicago O’Hare with at least 1 flight a day.

Rapid City Regional Airport is currently served by Northwest Airlines, Delta and United with daily non-stop service to Minneapolis/St. Paul, Denver and Salt Lake City, as well as Allegiant Air, which offers thrice weekly service to Las Vegas.

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For more information, contact:
Mason Short, RCRA Executive Director – 605/394-4195
Ken Simmons, RCRA Operations Officer – 605/394-4195