Post-Frontier, search for new airline continues
By Dave Dreeszen Journal business editor | Posted: Sunday, October 05, 2008
SIOUX CITY -- A year ago today, the inaugural Frontier Airlines flight from Denver touched down at Sioux Gateway Airport.
As the regional jet, filled with passengers, taxied toward the terminal, a pair of fire trucks imultaneously shot streams, forming a water cannon salute for the much-balloyed flight. At an invitation-only luncheon in a nearby hanger, local leaders and Frontier executives celebrated the return of daily service to Denver for the first time in a decade.
In May, just six months after it started daily service to the Mile High City, Frontier pulled out of the Sioux City market. That again left Sioux Gateway with a single carrier -- Northwest Airlines, which flies daily connecting routes between Minneapolis-St. Paul.
Local leaders leaders, who immediately launched a search for one or more carriers to replace Frontier, appears no closer today to landing new routes to give travelers more options.
"We continue to talk to potential airlines, as we have in the past,'' Barbara Sloniker, the airport's marketing director, said Tuesday. "We obviously have a good story to tell them about the success Frontier had while they were in the market.
"It's a difficult time in the industry right now. Airlines are cutting back capacity, rather than expanding.''
Amid an economic slowdown and skyrocketing fuel prices, U.S. airlines lost $2.8 billion in the first half of this year, according to an industry group. After Labor Day, most major carriers, including Northwest, cut its total number of seats by single to double digits.
Some carriers, like Denver-based Frontier, which filed for federal bankruptcy, are struggling to keep flying, while others are combining forces or looking to do so. Last month, Northwest and Delta Airlines shareholders gave final approval to a deal that will create the world's largest airline.
The new carrier will retain Delta's name, logo and Atlanta headquarters. Northwest pilots and flight attendants will don Delta uniforms and their planes will eventually get Delta paint jobs.
Sioux Gateway officials are optimistic the combined carrier will keep Northwest's five daily flights to Minneapolis/St. Paul. "At this time, we're not hearing that we're going to get additional flights or receive an additional hub,'' Sloniker said.
Sloniker said the airport's first priority would be to reestablish a connection to Denver or another western hub. During the six months Frontier operated at Sioux Gateway, tri-state travelers demonstrated strong support for westward destinations, with Frontier flights tripling the airport's total passenger numbers.
Airport officials also have expressed interest in adding eastern or southern routes, with hubs like Chicago and Atlanta high on the list. Sloniker declined to identify carriers local leaders are talking to.
By adding routes, Sioux Gateway hopes to stem the flow of passengers to neighboring airports that offer multiple carriers and routes.
"You're kind of hampered by your geographical location,'' Mike Marnach, executive director of the Sioux Falls Regional Airport, said Tuesday. "You're close to "Ohhh"maha. I choke on it when I say it. It affects us here too.''
Frontier time line
July 3, 2007 -- Frontier Airlines announces plans to begin daily service between Denver International Airport and Sioux Gateway Airport.
Oct. 5, 20007 -- First Frontier flight lands at Sioux Gateway.
April 11, 2008 -- Frontier files for federal bankruptcy protection.
April 23, 2008 -- Frontier announces plans to end service in Sioux Gateway on May 12.
As the regional jet, filled with passengers, taxied toward the terminal, a pair of fire trucks imultaneously shot streams, forming a water cannon salute for the much-balloyed flight. At an invitation-only luncheon in a nearby hanger, local leaders and Frontier executives celebrated the return of daily service to Denver for the first time in a decade.
In May, just six months after it started daily service to the Mile High City, Frontier pulled out of the Sioux City market. That again left Sioux Gateway with a single carrier -- Northwest Airlines, which flies daily connecting routes between Minneapolis-St. Paul.
Local leaders leaders, who immediately launched a search for one or more carriers to replace Frontier, appears no closer today to landing new routes to give travelers more options.
"We continue to talk to potential airlines, as we have in the past,'' Barbara Sloniker, the airport's marketing director, said Tuesday. "We obviously have a good story to tell them about the success Frontier had while they were in the market.
"It's a difficult time in the industry right now. Airlines are cutting back capacity, rather than expanding.''
Amid an economic slowdown and skyrocketing fuel prices, U.S. airlines lost $2.8 billion in the first half of this year, according to an industry group. After Labor Day, most major carriers, including Northwest, cut its total number of seats by single to double digits.
Some carriers, like Denver-based Frontier, which filed for federal bankruptcy, are struggling to keep flying, while others are combining forces or looking to do so. Last month, Northwest and Delta Airlines shareholders gave final approval to a deal that will create the world's largest airline.
The new carrier will retain Delta's name, logo and Atlanta headquarters. Northwest pilots and flight attendants will don Delta uniforms and their planes will eventually get Delta paint jobs.
Sioux Gateway officials are optimistic the combined carrier will keep Northwest's five daily flights to Minneapolis/St. Paul. "At this time, we're not hearing that we're going to get additional flights or receive an additional hub,'' Sloniker said.
Sloniker said the airport's first priority would be to reestablish a connection to Denver or another western hub. During the six months Frontier operated at Sioux Gateway, tri-state travelers demonstrated strong support for westward destinations, with Frontier flights tripling the airport's total passenger numbers.
Airport officials also have expressed interest in adding eastern or southern routes, with hubs like Chicago and Atlanta high on the list. Sloniker declined to identify carriers local leaders are talking to.
By adding routes, Sioux Gateway hopes to stem the flow of passengers to neighboring airports that offer multiple carriers and routes.
"You're kind of hampered by your geographical location,'' Mike Marnach, executive director of the Sioux Falls Regional Airport, said Tuesday. "You're close to "Ohhh"maha. I choke on it when I say it. It affects us here too.''
Frontier time line
July 3, 2007 -- Frontier Airlines announces plans to begin daily service between Denver International Airport and Sioux Gateway Airport.
Oct. 5, 20007 -- First Frontier flight lands at Sioux Gateway.
April 11, 2008 -- Frontier files for federal bankruptcy protection.
April 23, 2008 -- Frontier announces plans to end service in Sioux Gateway on May 12.
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comment wrote on Oct 5, 2008 4:23 PM:
Frank P. wrote on Oct 5, 2008 1:11 PM: