Good morning,
It’s hard to believe, but four years ago, I set off with my grandson on a Frontier Airlines flight between New Castle and Phoenix. Thanks, Facebook for the reminder and photo.
The visit and the flights back and forth went well, even with a connection in Denver.
But that was a long time ago.
Frontier dropped Denver not too long after the May flight and other service followed.
Frontier now has a lot of flights out of Philadelphia that other than the nonstop to Denver are two-hour hops.
That’s a good thing since newer planes have less leg and shoulder room. I have not flown the airline since that time, although I’m not adverse to giving it another shot.
The current strategy came along with new ownership with a business plan that offers low base fares, but charges for everything other than bathroom visits. Profits are up, but not the point that the carrier has launched a public stock offering.
Longer flights are tough, thanks to a lack of daily service on an airline geared to leisure flights. Service from Philly to Phoenix is one exception, although layovers can be long.
Still, it is possible that Frontier could return. The airline has 200 jets on order and needs to fly to markets where it will not get pummeled by big guys, like American.
Even Southwest found the going tough in U.S. Airways’ and now American’s fortress hub in Philadelphia, and trimmed its flight schedule. Southwest calls its hubs, such as Baltimore-Washington, “focus cities.”
New Castle might work with a dose of patience and planning, and if the state and perhaps the county have the courage to build a combined executive jet and passenger terminal.
For political and other reasons, don’t look for current airport operator the bi-state Delaware River and Bay Authority to pony up the money.
But with the Port of Wilmington expected to come off its books with a lease to a private operator, the state could lend a hand on bonding and marketing the airport as a way to draw business and leisure travelers.
On the downside, Frontier’s management still suffers from a lack patience that doomed service here. The discounter already plans to drop flights from Philadelphia to Birmingham, AL after a few months.
But if current trends continue, a long-term vision for passenger service could bring another airline, perhaps one with more patience.
This newsletter returns tomorrow for TGIF edition. Enjoy your day. – Doug Rainey, publisher.
