Frontier Airlines had a busy week last week. The airline launched a host of brand new domestic and international routes out of airports across the United States. This includes new flights out of Delaware, California, and Denver to destinations in the US and Mexico.
Frontier's new route launches
Here is the host of new routes that Frontier Airlines launched last week:
From Orlando International Airport (MCO) to:
- Cancun International Airport (CUN)
- Miami International Airport (MIA)
- Las Americas International Airport (SDQ) in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
From Ontario International Airport (ONT) to:
- McCarran International Airport (LAS) in Las Vegas
- Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX)
From Denver International Airport (DEN) to:
- Cozumel International Airport (CZM)
From New Castle Airport (ILG) in Wilmington, Delaware to:
- Orlando International Airport (MCO)
From Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) to:
- Sacramento International Airport (SMF)
All in all, Frontier launched eight new routes in the last week, with more coming. On February 19th, service to the US Virgin Islands will start out of Orlando.
Coming back to Delaware
Delaware is one of the smallest states in the country and used to be the only US state that did not receive any air service from a major commercial US airline. Frontier Airlines used to serve the airport up until 2015.
With Frontier's departure, Delaware passengers had to travel out to Baltimore (BWI) or Philadelphia (PHL) to catch a flight. Returning to New Castle Airport is good news for the airport.
The current schedule sees Frontier Airlines flying three times a week from New Castle Airport to Orlando. Air travel can be a key economic boost for a local community, so Wilmington is surely happy to get some air service back.
Expanding out of Florida
Florida is a market that has become one of the most important for US carriers, especially low-cost ones. Leisure travelers are flocking to the state and hoping to get away to a beach or one of Florida's many theme parks and tourist attractions.
The new Orlando flights are an expansion of Frontier's base. Orlando is also a significant metro area, and there is plenty of demand for low-cost flights out to Mexico and the Caribbean. Plus, the airline can target some connecting travelers.
The Miami to Orlando route is a high-frequency market on which American has a near-monopoly. Frontier is only operating one daily flight between Miami and Orlando, so it should do just fine.
California and Arizona
Ontario and Phoenix are getting a few new flights, which is well in line with Frontier's plan to expand its opportunities in sun destinations. Ontario has seen an influx of some new Frontier flights over the past few years. The new flights to Las Vegas and Phoenix will target passengers both in California and in the destinations in Nevada and Arizona and are natural extensions from Frontier's network.
Phoenix is a little smaller set of operations for Frontier, but it is still important nevertheless as the airline targets mostly point-to-point travelers. Nevertheless, PHX is a great gateway to Arizona, so it makes sense for Frontier to expand in a sun destination that is getting a lot of attention from leisure travelers.
The Denver to Cozumel route
The new once-weekly Denver to Cozumel route may seem strange to some, but the route makes a lot of sense. Frontier has had no qualm over experimenting with new routes, and this route is one that seems pretty safe.
A once-a-week flight is a pretty low risk, so Frontier should be able to fill up the Airbus A320 operating the route. In addition, DEN is a major hub and home for Frontier Airlines. The carrier should be able to catch a decent amount of connecting traffic if there is not enough origin and destination demand.
Are you going to fly any of these new Frontier Airlines routes? Let us know in the comments!