List of airports in South Dakota facts for kids
This article is about the different airports in South Dakota, a state in the United States. It includes all airports that are open to the public and those used by the military. You'll learn about airports where big passenger planes land, and smaller airports used for private flights or training. We'll also look at some airports that are no longer in use.
Types of Airports in South Dakota
Airports in South Dakota are grouped by how they are used. Some are for big passenger planes, while others are for smaller private aircraft. The FAA keeps track of these airports. They also count how many people get on planes at each airport, which is called "enplanements."
Busy Airports for Passengers
These are the main airports where many people fly in and out of South Dakota. They are called "commercial service – primary airports" because they have regular flights for passengers.
- Aberdeen Regional Airport (ABR): Located in Aberdeen, this airport had over 28,000 people get on planes in 2019.
- Pierre Regional Airport (PIR): In Pierre, about 30,000 people flew from here in 2019.
- Rapid City Regional Airport (RAP): This airport in Rapid City is very busy, with over 303,000 passengers in 2019.
- Joe Foss Field (FSD): Found in Sioux Falls, this is the busiest airport in the state. Over 529,000 people boarded planes here in 2019.
- Watertown Regional Airport (ATY): In Watertown, this airport saw over 12,000 passengers in 2019.
Airports for Smaller Planes
These airports are mostly for "general aviation" (GA). This means they are used by private planes, small business jets, flight training, or recreational flying. They don't usually have big passenger flights. Many of these airports had zero "enplanements" in 2019, meaning no passengers boarded commercial flights there.
- Belle Fourche Municipal Airport (KEFC): Located in Belle Fourche.
- Brookings Regional Airport (KBKX): In Brookings, this airport had 20 passengers in 2019.
- Custer County Airport (KCUT): Found in Custer.
- Huron Regional Airport (KHON): In Huron, 49 people boarded planes here in 2019.
- Mitchell Municipal Airport (KMHE): Located in Mitchell, this airport had 36 passengers in 2019.
- Mobridge Municipal Airport (KMBG): In Mobridge, 12 people boarded planes here in 2019.
- Pine Ridge Airport (KIEN): Also known as Oglala Sioux Airport, located in Pine Ridge.
- Black Hills Airport (KSPF): Also called Clyde Ice Field, in Spearfish, with 25 passengers in 2019.
- Winner Regional Airport (KICR): Also known as Bob Wiley Field, in Winner, with 27 passengers in 2019.
- Chan Gurney Municipal Airport (KYKN): In Yankton, 15 people boarded planes here in 2019.
Other Public Airports
Some airports are open to the public but are not part of the main national airport plan (NPIAS). They are still important for local flights and services.
- Arlington Municipal Airport (3A9): In Arlington.
- Corsica Municipal Airport (D65): Located in Corsica.
- Custer State Park Airport (3V0): Found in Fairburn.
- Graham Field (7K7): In North Sioux City.
Military Airports
South Dakota also has airports used by the military. These are important for national defense.
- Ellsworth Air Force Base (KRCA): Located near Rapid City, this is a key military airport.
Private Airports You Might Know
Some airports are mainly for private use, but they are still well-known.
Airports That Are No Longer Open
Over time, some airports close down. Here are a few examples of airports in South Dakota that are no longer in use.
- Clear Lake Municipal Airport (5H3): In Clear Lake, this airport closed in 2020.
- Dupree Municipal Airport (7F2): Located in Dupree, it closed around 2012.
- McIntosh Municipal Airport (8D6): In McIntosh, this airport also closed around 2012.
See also
- Essential Air Service
- South Dakota World War II Army Airfields
