Frontier Airlines plans to drop service from New Castle Airport to Houston early next month.
Lack of traffic was cited for the reason for the decision. Frontier sets a high bar for continuing service, with its business model requiring nearly full planes to maintain profitability.
The airline did take some heat when it did not follow common practice and charged extra for a connecting flight to Houston, The News Journal reported. The airline later reversed the decision.
Frontier operates on tighter margins, since it does not have as many business passengers who sometimes pay more than $1,000 for a last-minute flight.
In August, Frontier’s total system load factor increased to 93%, from 92% in August 2012, setting a new record for the month. At the same time, however, Frontier’s total system revenue passenger miles decreased 16% on a 17% reduction in available seat miles.
Frontier Airlines served more than 1 million passengers in August, a 15% reduction from the same period last year. The airline has reduced its capacity, due to reductions in service at cities like Denver and Colorado Springs.
The airline offers service to points in Florida as well as Chicago. The airline is adding Fort Meyers, Fla to its destination list from New Castle later this year. It serves other points in Florida as well as Chicago and Denver. Frontier launched service from New Castle in early July. Officials have reported strong interest in Florida destinations The airline has been successful in launching service from another Delaware Valley airport, Trenton/Mercer County, which like New Castle, has struggled to retain airline service.
(Frontier Airlines photo)
