[Not a valid template]Frontier Airlines and the Delaware River and Bay Authority held a ceremony ahead of the July 1st date when service will get under way from the New Castle airport.
Daniel Shurz, vice president commercial for the Denver-based airline, announced that the carrier will add Fort Meyers, Fla. as its sixth nonstop nonstop destination in November. The airline will offer two flights a week on Saturday and Tuesday, allowing for a long weekend. A deep discount fare of $45 will be available until Jun 29.
The news drew praise from a crowd of dignitaries assembled at the boarding area of the airport. Frontier announced plans to fly out of New Castle two months ago.
In an interview after the event, Shurz said it became clear that Delaware travelers wanted to see more service to Florida. He said bookings out of New Castle have been strong since the first announcement.
He said the success of Frontier service out of the Mercer County Airport near Trenton, N.J. demonstrated that airline’s strategy could work in New Castle. The executive said more destinations and flights would be added if demand proves to be sufficient.
According to Shurz, the airline is seeing continued growth at the New Jersey airport. While fares remain low, the carrier is not resorting to
Frontier will launch its first flight Monday morning to Chicago Midway Airport. Other destinations are Tampa, Orlando, Houston and its hub city of Denver. Flights from Denver connect to many destinations in the west, including Alaska.
The number of weekly non stops from New Castle will range from two to four a week with the target audience being leisure travelers.
Gov. Jack Markell said it was up to Delawareans to support Frontier by flying out of the airport. He noted that the airline is taking a risk in coming to the airport. Unlike some areas, Delaware does not subsidize airline service.
“Let’s show some loyalty,” Markell said. While noting that Frontier is targeting the leisure market, he urged businesses to use the airlines when possible.
Those attending the event toured the 168-seat Airbus A320 aircraft that will fly out of the airport. The Airbus has leather seats, Internet access and other features.
Shurz said geh airline is betting that the lack of hassles and lines will bring passenges to New Castle, an airport that has struggled to keep airline service over the years. While acknowledging that a passenger can fly almost anywhere from Philadelphia, he told the crowd that “it is a pain in something” to deal with congestion, security and other issues.
He noted that a passenger in New Castle will have to travel no more than 300 feet from a vehicle to the aircraft. Security equipment is in place at the airport, with no full body scanning equipment on hand.
Stephen Williams, who manages airports for the River and Bay Authority, said the 1950s-vintage airport terminal turned out to be a plus in attracting Frontier, which needs a low-cost airport that with low rental charges.
New Castle has the potential to serve a large market in suburban Philadelphia, downstate Delaware and neighboring areas of Maryland and New Jersey.
The River and Bay Authority has been using social media to promote the service. One posting noted that local travelers could catch University of Delaware and Ursuline Academy Delaware basketball star Elena Delle Donne, who now plays for the Chicago Sky WNBA team. Flights to Chicago run as low as $45 one-way.
Frontier is a subsidiary of Republic Airways Holdings, which also operates regional carriers that feed traffic into hubs of large airlines.
Republic has announced plans to sell Frontier, but has not found a buyer. Frontier has been looking for new destinations as competition grows at its hub in Denver.
