Skywest Airlines Inc., which does business as United Express, is nearing a milestone in its relationship with the Fort Dodge area.

On March 1, it will mark five years of flying to and from Fort Dodge Regional Airport, providing a service that enables travelers to make easy connections to cities all over the world served by United Airlines.

All of us have a big role to play to make sure that service stays at Fort Dodge Regional Airport.

To do that, local people need to make an effort to use that airline and the airport for all their flight needs. United Express is flying 50-seat jets to and from Fort Dodge. If the community keeps those seats full, the airline will have lots of incentive to keep flying to and from our hometown.

There are some nice incentives for people to take advantage of this air service. First, it eliminates the need to make long drives, or even worse, overnight stays, in order to catch a flight at a big airport in a metropolitan area. And the parking at Fort Dodge Regional Airport is free.

Seamless connections to destinations all over the country and the world are another big advantage for travelers. The local flights take people to Chicago O’Hare International Airport, where they can transfer to United Airlines flights going to more than 175 cities. Upon arriving at the Windy City, Fort Dodge passengers just have to go to their next departure gate. There’s no need to hassle with checking bags in at the Chicago airport, because they will be automatically transferred. And all oft this will be possible by buying one ticket.

This travel opportunity was created because the Fort Dodge Regional Airport qualifies for the federal Essential Air Service program, which provides money to keep airlines flying to smaller communities. When the previous Essential Air Service contract was nearing its end, the U.S. Department of Transportation sought proposals from airlines interested in serving Fort Dodge. Skywest/United Express again submitted a proposal, which was endorsed by the Fort Dodge Regional Airport Commission. The Department of Transportation picked that airline, and will give it about $6.4 million a year to serve our city.

The airline’s Essential Air Service contract ends in February 2027. We hope the airline seeks another contract and that the federal government awards it.

But if we as a community want to keep that level of air service, we have to use it.

So the next time you want to fly, pick Fort Dodge Regional Airport and United Express.