Frontier Airlines will discontinue service from Wilmington-New Castle Airport, effective on June 6.
The airline returned to the airport last year but never expanded its flight schedule beyond a few nonstop flights a week to Orlando, FL.
The airline vowed to be patient about the service after its abrupt departure several years ago but did little to promote the Orlando flights.
In the meantime, Frontier, like other airlines, has struggled with a shortage of pilots it adds new Airbus jets.
Frontier is also pursuing a merger with low-fare airline Spirit. Both Frontier and Spirit have beefed up their service from nearby Philadelphia International Airport, with American Airlines not restoring flights to pre-pandemic levels. The drive to PHL is often shorter for many Wilmington-area travelers than it is for residents of Philadelphia suburbs.
The Delaware River and Bay Authority, operator of the airport issued the following statement:
We are disappointed with the decision of Frontier Airlines ownership and management to discontinue scheduled service at Wilmington Airport – ILG prior to the busy summer season. Given the current economic and labor environment, the airline has made business choices across its system. We are hopeful that as it rationalizes current and future resources in anticipation of its proposed merger, the airline will choose to strategically restore service to Delaware.
The management and staff of the DRBA continue to believe that scheduled commercial air service can and will succeed at Wilmington Airport – ILG. The airport’s excellent location along the busy I-95 corridor, along with the lowest cost operating environment of any airport in the US, offers customers the opportunity to forego the stress and expense of a big city airport.
We are working to make ILG the airport of choice for business and leisure travelers in Delaware, South Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Maryland who value both time and money; low fares, inexpensive parking rates, and a convenient, hassle-free airport experience.
Securing new commercial service for Wilmington – ILG will remain one of the airport’s key goals, but to be clear, air service is only one aspect of the airport’s overall role and value to the community. ILG is also a home for corporate aviation, advanced flight training, certain non- aviation businesses, and its all-important military mission in civil and national defense.
We will continue to promote the many benefits of Wilmington Airport to those airlines who value both low-costs, and an uncongested air traffic and passenger operating experience.
