Frontier Airlines has decided not to resume flights to New Orleans following the devastation of that city by Hurricane Katrina and related flooding.
Frontier discontinued its one daily Denver-New Orleans flight Aug. 28 and had planned to restart it once the hurricane had passed.
The airline told customers on its website: “As the events of the several weeks following Katrina unfolded, it became clear to Frontier that service would not be a viable option in the near future.”
The flights drew visitors to New Orleans, but because many of the city’s attractions have been damaged, tourism may be in for a long recovery.
“We just didn’t know if the demand between Denver and New Orleans would be great enough in the foreseeable future,” Frontier spokesman Joe Hodas said.
The service could be restored “at some point in the future,” he said.
Meanwhile, Frontier may use the aircraft for charter flights or another leg on an existing route.
Frontier had been flying the to New Orleans since February 2002. Traffic ranged from 2,915 passengers in June to 6,509 in April, according to the U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Frontier operated more flights to New Orleans during April and fewer during the offseason.
The airline will issue refunds to customers booked on flights to New Orleans or waive a penalty if they purchased tickets on or before Sept. 1 and want to rebook to another city.
Frontier has helped with relief efforts in New Orleans by flying evacuees to Denver.
United Airlines, which also operated flights between Denver and New Orleans, plans to resume its flights, though not until “at least Oct. 4,” said United spokesman Dave Dimmer.
United has sent humanitarian flights into New Orleans carrying supplies and has transported medical personnel and evacuees.
Staff writer Kelly Yamanouchi can be reached at kyamanouchi@denverpost.com or 303-820-1488.
