Frontier Airlines is set to relaunch flights from Sioux City’s Gateway Airport to Denver, Colorado. Back in 2008, Frontier filled Chapter-11 bankruptcy and left Sioux City, discontinuing its three flights a day to Denver International Airport.
Last year, Frontier was purchased by Indigo Partners, which provides low cost air transportation. Frontier Airlines Vice President of Marketing Tryi Squyres says the airline is returning because it believes Sioux City has a strong market for leisure and business travel. “And in the U.S. there’s a definitely room for true low-cost service. Compared to the European market, it’s much more competitive and there are a variety of offerings in low-cost air travel that in the U.S. we just frankly don’t have yet,” Squyres said.
Frontier, which is based in Denver, will be Sioux Gateway’s second airline. American Airlines flies from Sioux City to Chicago daily. The Sioux City to Denver service will be different from the flights offered six years ago. Instead of a small turboprop aircraft, Frontier will now utilize an Airbus 319.
“We have found a much more successful model in a lower frequency — three times a week — with a larger aircraft, with approximately 138 seats a flight. So, by adding more seats, we can offer lower fares,” Squyres said. The first Sioux City to Denver flight is scheduled for take off at 6:40 a.m. Friday.