Sioux Falls Mayor Mike Huether met with the Airport Authority to discuss the progress the airport has made in improving flights to and from Sioux falls and also made some challenges for the future.
The mayor began by expressing excitement over the improvements the Airport Authority has already made.
‘We're even testing shuttle service, and what a time to test shuttle service," said Mayor Huether.
"You get in at night and you've been gone for a couple of weeks, its 20 below wind chill and you totally forgot where you parked," said Dan Letellier, the Airport's Executive Director.
The shuttle service began just last month and already carries about 150 passengers a day.
"Well in any city, I think that shuttle service is very important because I mean, people need these services," said Kerry Van Tassel, a visitor to Sioux Falls from Sacramento, California.
Another potential service could be an airport hotel.
"Wouldn't it be great for them to drive in the night before, get a good quality sleep in, wake up and then take your suite case and just walk right to the terminal from your hotel room," said Huether.
It's an idea the Airport Authority is taking very seriously.
"If you go straight north where there's a door at the end of the ticket counter area, it would be connected right at that spot," said Chairman Mike Luce.
Adding a hotel would require the airport to remove some underground fuel tanks and get the area ready for development.
"It's certainly not without cost…you're still looking at well over $400,000 to help develop the site," said Letellier.
The mayor also challenged the air authority to invest in increasing competition to lower airfares for travel to the east coast.
"That drives lower prices, improved quality, better service and I think that could happen again as we look towards lowering air fares to the east…our airport is growing up, I'm just so proud, but guess what, we've got a long ways to go before we're with the big boys," said Huether.
The mayor did applaud the Airport Authority for making changes that significantly lowered air fares to the west; he believes the airport's biggest priority should be making those same changes for eastern flights.
