SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) – The Sioux Falls Regional Airport is proposing an airport expansion project that includes up to 14 new gates and a larger terminal. If you add in new restaurants and shops, the price tag sits at $108 million.
An airport official said more gates would help ease crowding. It would also encourage airlines to add more daily and weekly flights.
Anthony Regalia of Brookings says he’s flown in and out of the Sioux Falls Regional Airport at least a dozen times and has even driven across state lines to catch a flight.
“We used to fly out in Minneapolis, but it’s such a drive, so it’s just worth driving to FSD. We like it,” Regalia said.
Part of that reason is that the Minneapolis airport offers more flight options.
“It’s not that incredibly cheaper, but it’s more direct, you can get more places. So that’s what would be great for here,” Regalia said.
Regalia says that’s something he’d like to see more of in Sioux Falls.
“It seems like when you’re coming here from like Denver, Dallas or some hub, it’s only two flights a day into Sioux Falls, that’s ridiculous. So we need more in and out,” Regalia said.
Tari Elsperger from Aberdeen agrees more flight options would be beneficial.
“I think it would be a lot more helpful to be able to expand here and be able to have cheaper flights for people to be able to fly out of here. I wish that Allegiant was able to fly out more year-round than just at certain times of the month,” Elsperger said.
According to the airport expansion report the busiest times are early morning and later afternoon. But one of the goals is to make the airport more consistently busy throughout the day.
To read more about the funding and cost details click here.
