Analysts and just-plain folks knew Southwest and Frontier would gun it out to see if Denver is big enough for both of them and United Airlines too.
With Frontier poised to emerge from bankruptcy about Oct. 1, the Denver-based airline is itchy to show what it can do.
Southwest, based in Dallas, tried to buy Frontier in August but lost out to Republic Airways Holdings. It too is eager to make a showing in Denver where it is the third-largest airline and Frontier is No. 2.
“Denver has been, and will continue to remain, a focus market for us, and we are committed to adding more flights to more places from the Mile High City,” said Bob Jordan, Southwest’s executive vice president of strategy and planning.
On cue, Southwest strode out Thursday to announce new nonstop service from Denver to Boston, Spokane, Wash., and Reno-Tahoe, Nev.
Beginning Jan. 10, Southwest will have two daily roundtrips from Denver to Boston — added in August to Southwest’s system — and one daily roundtrip from Denver to Spokane and one to Reno.
That means Southwest will butt heads with United, which is the largest Denver airline, with its Denver service to Boston, with Frontier and United and its service to Spokane, and with United with flights to Reno.
The new flights are not related to the failure to acquire Frontier, said Southwest spokesman Chris Mainz.
“Our Boston service is off to a gangbuster start, and Spokane and Reno are two markets we’ve been looking at for a long time and don’t currently serve,” Mainz said.
Frontier didn’t flinch, revealing Friday to its Facebook and Twitter fans that it has some growth plans of its own.
On Monday, Frontier is to announce nonstop service from Denver to Fort Myers, Fla., beginning Nov. 21, and nonstop service to Cancun, Mexico, from Indianapolis and St. Louis beginning Dec. 19.
Southwest’s announcement doesn’t change the competition, said Frontier spokesman Steve Snyder.
“We have always competed well with Southwest in Denver, and now we are even better positioned as we prepare to come out of bankruptcy as a stronger, more sustainable airline.”
Ann Schrader: 303-954-1967 or aschrader@denverpost.com
Southwest Airlines
Third-largest carrier in Denver
14.7% Market share at Denver International Airport
667,840 Passengers at DIA in June 2009
New nonstop flights
Boston
Spokane, Wash.
Frontier Airlines
Second-largest carrier in Denver, includes its subsidiary Lynx
22.4% Market share at Denver International Airport
2.4% Market share of Lynx at DIA
987,791 Domestic passengers at DIA in June 2009
17,444 International passengers at DIA in June 2009
108,806 Lynx passengers at DIA in June 2009
New nonstop flights
Fort Myers, Fla.
Reno-Tahoe, Nev.
