# Aberdeen Regional Airport

Aberdeen Regional Airport (IATA: ABR, ICAO: KABR, FAA LID: ABR) is a city-owned, public-use airport located two nautical miles (3.7 km) east of the central business district of Aberdeen, a city in Brown County, South Dakota, United States. It is mostly used for general aviation with Delta Connection as its sole commercial airline.

## Airlines and destinations

The airport is one of two commercial airports in the state of South Dakota with airline service to only one destination, the other being Pierre Regional Airport. Rapid City serves 16 destinations, and Sioux Falls serves 15 destinations, while Watertown serves two destinations. Aberdeen also provides regional cargo service with mainly CSA Air flights to Sioux Falls, and Fargo.
Passenger service
| Airlines | Destinations |
| Delta Connection | Minneapolis/St. Paul |

### Map of destinations

Cargo Service
| Airlines | Destinations |
| Alpine Air Express | Sioux Falls, Watertown |
| Encore Air Cargo operated by Bemidji Airlines | Sioux Falls |
| FedEx Feeder operated by CSA Air | Fargo, Sioux Falls |

## Top destinations

Busiest route out of ABR (January 2024-December 2024) :
| Rank | City | Passengers | Carriers |
| 1 | Minneapolis/St. Paul | 24,000 | Delta Connection |

## Facilities and aircraft

Aberdeen Regional Airport covers an area of 1,284 acres (520 ha) at an elevation of 1,302 feet (397 m) above mean sea level. It has two runways: 13/31 is 6,901 by 100 feet (2,103 x 30 m) with a concrete surface; 17/35 is 5,500 by 100 feet (1,676 x 30 m) with an asphalt surface. The airport is able to handle aircraft as big as a Boeing 737-900 or Airbus A321.
For the 12-month period ending December 31, 2022, the airport had 39,746 aircraft operations, an average of 109 per day: 83% general aviation, 4% scheduled commercial, 13% air taxi and <1% military. At that time there were 66 aircraft based at this airport: 42 single-engine, 16 multi-engine, 7 jet and 1 helicopter.
Delta Connection is the only commercial airline currently serving Aberdeen Regional Airport, providing daily flights to Minneapolis/St. Paul operated by SkyWest Airlines.

## History

Aberdeen Regional Airport was founded as Aberdeen Municipal Airport in 1921, north of Aberdeen, SD. It included two 2,500 foot runways as well as ground services. Additionally, Security Skycraft Corporation began regularly scheduled service from Aberdeen Municipal Airport at a cost of 50¢ per mile. In 1923, Aberdeen hosted the first fly-in event in South Dakota. In 1930, funds were allocated for the purchase of 160 acres of land for the airport, in a different location. Gravel runways and a steel hangar were also added.
During World War II, the airfield was used by the United States Army Air Forces as a contract glider training airfield owned by Anderson & Brennan Flying Service, beginning on 25 May 1942. The mission of the school was to train glider pilot students in proficiency in operation of gliders in various types of towed and soaring flight, both day and night, and in servicing of gliders in the field. They primarily used C-47 Skytrains and Waco CG-4 Gliders.
In 1946, the airport's name was changed to Saunders Field in honor of Brigadier General Laverne Saunders, and the name was changed again to its current name, Aberdeen Municipal Airport, in 1979. The airfield area is still called Saunders Field. The, airfield was converted into a commercial airport with North Central Airlines operating DC-9-30, DC-3, and Convair CV5800 aircraft to Minneapolis. A new terminal was built too which featured a restaurant dubbed, "Airport Cafe". North Central ceased operations in 1979 after merging with Southern Airways becoming Republic Airlines. Northwest later replaced Republic's operations in 1986 after a merger. Around 1997, Northwest Airlink operated by Mesaba Airlines began using Avro RJ85 aircraft, along with adding destinations localized in the region including Jamestown, Pierre, and Watertown.
A new terminal was built in 2003 south of the hangars, now equipped with a ground based jetway able to connect to aircraft as large as a Boeing 737. In 2006, Great Lakes code shared with United Express was introduced to the airport with flights to Huron, and Denver using Beechcraft 1900 aircraft. Northwest retired the Avro RJ85, and the Saab 340 replaced operations the same year. In 2008, Great Lakes pulled out due to low demand, along with Northwest's operations to Jamestown, Pierre, and Watertown. The CRJ200 was introduced the same year too exclusively for the Pheasant Season. Delta Connection replaced Northwest's operation at Aberdeen in 2009 continuing its route to Minneapolis. The CRJ200 replaced the Saab340 in 2012, after Mesaba ceased operations, continuing with Pinnacle Airlines, and Skywest. In 2013, Skywest became the sole regional airline at Aberdeen.
Starting in 2015, Sun Country Airlines began seasonal charter air service to Laughlin/Bullhead using Boeing 737-800 aircraft dubbed casino flights. In 2019, a new larger jetway was added to the airport, which was able to support aircraft as big as an Airbus A321. In 2020, the town announced a 20-year plan to expand the terminal adding another gate, extend runway 13/31, add an agricultural facility, hangars, and rework taxiways. In 2021, Aberdeen renewed their contract with Skywest to continue their air service at Aberdeen after Pierre and Watertown replaced Skywest's United operations with Denver Air Connection. In 2022, the airport had moved runway 17/35 southwest of the airport removing its intersection with 13/31. The airport's main taxiway aligned with 13/31 was also revamped.
The long 15 year CRJ200 service at the airport ended in October 2023 being replaced by the CRJ700, and CRJ900, followed by the CRJ550 a year later.