Denver-based Frontier Airlines will not be able to launch its Lynx Aviation turboprop service Oct. 1 as planned because it has not yet gotten the proper certification.
Frontier Airlines Holdings Inc., parent company of Frontier Airlines and its Lynx Aviation subsidiary, does not expect to receive Federal Aviation Administration certification for the Lynx operation in time and will instead operate the planned Lynx routes with different planes.
It’s a costly delay. Frontier estimates its pre-operating expenses for Lynx in the December quarter will be about $8 million.
Frontier is launching Lynx as part of an effort to diversify. But the company is dealing with the uncertainty of launching a startup while also contending with the rigors of operating a major carrier and the financial challenges of the airline industry.
Lynx had planned to start operations with Q400 turboprops Oct. 1 with flights to Wichita and Billings, Mont., followed by flights to Sioux City, Iowa, and Rapid City, S.D., to start Oct. 5. Frontier had also planned to convert some flights on its Denver-Albuquerque route to Lynx beginning Oct. 24.
Now, Frontier said it will serve those routes with E170 and CRJ-700 regional jets from its regional carriers Republic Airways and Horizon Air, as part of a backup plan in case of a delay in certification. Frontier said it could also use its Airbus jets if needed.
“It’s just a process that we have to go through. Everything must be safe, and we can’t cut corners,” FAA spokesman Allen Kenitzer said of the delay. “They’re not seeing any specific problems, anything major, it’s just that it’s a process.”
Frontier spokesman Joe Hodas said the airline will not need to change its schedule to use different planes for the Lynx flights. He did not have a new date for when Lynx certification is expected.
“We’re doing everything on our end to expedite this process,” Hodas said.
Frontier had originally sought to start Lynx flights around July, but that was delayed until September. When Frontier announced its first Lynx routes, the start date was October.
For Wichita Mid-Continent Airport, “I don’t think (the delay) makes a difference, really,” said Valerie Wise, air-service and business-development manager, who thinks Frontier may fly the E170 on the route. “I think it’s just fine what they’re doing.”
Frontier has been planning to announce routes to mountain resort destinations such as Aspen, but that too has been delayed. The routes Frontier has announced are those where it can replace the Q400 with its other aircraft in case of a delay in certification, but that’s not the case for airports like Aspen.
Also, Kenitzer said, Lynx will need an oxygen system to fly over certain high terrain and can retrofit the planes to satisfy regulations. That doesn’t require a full drop-down oxygen system, and Hodas said Lynx will meet those requirements as planned.
Staff writer Kelly Yamanouchi can be reached at 303-954-1488 or kyamanouchi@denverpost.com.
