Frontier Airlines announced it is discontinuing some of its unprofitable flights outside of Denver and adding capacity on a number of routes from its Denver hub.
“With fuel being at the price that it is now, it’s difficult to have patience on some of the routes that haven’t been as profitable,” said Frontier spokesman Steve Snyder.
The strategy aims to focus more on Denver flights as the airline prepares for the launch of its Lynx Aviation Q400 turboprop subsidiary. The company hopes for federal certification that will allow it to start Lynx flights in December.
It’s also a major move by Frontier’s new chief executive Sean Menke, who has warned that Frontier “will be forced to scrutinize the profitability and potential longevity of every route in our system,” adding that “there are no sacred cows.”
While previous chief executive Jeff Potter was credited with preserving a familylike culture at Frontier, Menke has emphasized a keen focus on bottom-line profits and a willingness to make tough decisions that may not be well-liked by all.
“The decision to cancel or suspend service in certain markets was difficult due to the fact that it impacts the lives of some of our exceptional employees,” according to a written statement by Menke, saying the company will continue its focus on sustained profitability.
In Memphis, where Frontier has about 40 employees, about half will be affected by route cuts. Snyder said the company will discuss a number of options with the workers.
In the Thursday announcement, Frontier said it is discontinuing its flights from Denver to Guadalajara, Mexico, on Jan. 14.
Frontier said it will contact affected customers to offer alternative arrangements or refunds for canceled flights when there are no alternatives.
Starting Jan. 18, Frontier is adding more flights or capacity on routes from Denver.
The changes are aimed at increasing the number of passengers feeding through Frontier’s Denver hub, including passengers that can connect to routes Lynx will serve.
Lynx’s first routes include Denver to Wichita; Sioux City, Iowa; and Rapid City, S.D. Lynx is designed to also fly to mountain destinations such as Aspen and Steamboat Springs, but its winter ski routes have not been announced. Whether Frontier will be able to start winter-season ski routes this year will depend on when it receives Lynx certification.
Kelly Yamanouchi: 303-954-1488 or kyamanouchi@denverpost.com
Frontier changes
Discontinued routes
- Denver-Guadalajara
- Memphis-Las Vegas
- Memphis-Orlando
- Memphis-Fort Lauderdale
- San Jose-Los Cabos
- San Jose-Puerto Vallarta
- Sacramento-Los Cabos
- Sacramento-Puerto Vallarta
Reduced routes
- Denver-Vancouver
- Denver-Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo
- Denver-Mazatlán
- Indianapolis-Cancún
- Nashville-Cancún
- St. Louis-Cancún
Added or expanded
Denver routes
- Atlanta
- Billings, Mont.
- Indianapolis
- Las Vegas
- Los Angeles
- Louisville, Ky.
- Minneapolis
- Oklahoma City
- Orlando, Fla.
- Phoenix, Ariz.
- Portland, Ore.
- Rapid City, S.D.
- San Diego
- Seattle
- Spokane, Wash.
- St. Louis
- Tucson, Ariz.
