Frontier Airlines is adding several new destinations to its flight schedule beginning in April, and even the carrier’s top executive admits some are “head-scratchers.”
Some, such as Branson, Mo. — the Ozarks home of live music — provide long-sought service. It’s not clear why other destinations, such as Newport News-Williamsburg, Va., were chosen.
“In the end, the markets the Frontier planning team selected were markets (where) they felt we had a real opportunity to make a difference,” said Bryan Bedford, chief executive of Frontier parent company Republic Airways.
Some of the destinations selected for the less-than- daily or daily service “may not seem to be the first markets that would come to mind that need service,” Bedford told employees.
Several observers said the new service appears to be where Southwest Airlines, which has been aggressively adding flights in the Denver market, isn’t.
“I think they are trying to avoid head-to-head competition with Southwest and are trying to tie more routes into markets they serve,” said Helane Becker, a transportation analyst for Jesup & Lamont in New York.
Frontier also is moving onto United Airlines turf in Green Bay, Wis., and Grand Rapids, Mich., with Bedford noting that Frontier is building on a presence established by its sister airline, Midwest.
Some of the new service, which can be booked beginning Sunday, is supported by “local-market financial guarantees,” Bedford said. Frontier officials declined to name which cities offered incentives.
The Branson flight will allow visitors and locals to fly to Branson from twice as many cities, with connections in Denver, airport executive director Jeff Bourk said. Frontier will be the only service to the west of Branson.
Fargo, N.D., where Frontier has a 7 percent market share in the four-airline city, will lose two daily nonstop round trips by Lynx Aviation.
Tulsa, Okla., which currently has service from six airlines, will lose Lynx’s daily round trip. United will continue daily flights between Denver and both Fargo and Tulsa.
More new-service announcements are planned, Bedford said, adding: “Stay tuned.”
Ann Schrader: 303-954-1967 or aschrader@denverpost.com
Ramping up service
Branson, Mo.: Effective April 20, one nonstop round trip Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays
Fort Myers, Fla.: Effective April 20, one nonstop round trip Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays
Grand Rapids, Mich.: Effective May 14, one daily nonstop round trip
Green Bay, Wis.: Effective April 19, seasonal service through Oct. 22; one nonstop round trip Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays
Long Beach, Calif.: Effective May 14, one daily nonstop round trip and a second nonstop round trip daily except on Sundays
Madison, Wis.: Effective May 3, one daily nonstop round trip
Newport News, Va.: Effective May 3, one nonstop round trip Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays
Santa Barbara, Calif.: Effective June 4, one daily nonstop round trip and a second nonstop round trip daily except Saturdays going to Santa Barbara and Sundays to Denver
