Wichita, Rapid City and Sioux City were named by Frontier (FRNT) as the first three destinations for its Lynx Aviation, Bombardier (BBD) Q-400 operation with launch scheduled to begin in October somewhat later than originally planned in July. The new carrier has received conditional approval from DOT and is working on its FAA approvals. The airline expects all 10 Q400 aircraft to be delivered by December 2007 and expects to make several more new market announcements in the coming months
The airline chose the new points by issuing requests for proposals to communities seeking service from a low-fare carrier. Frontier sent out 65 proposals and heard back from 62 communities, according to Frontier President and CEO Jeff Potter. The company is targeting high-yield, low-density routes. Having been overwhelmed with proposals, Frontier continues to winnow them down to what will ultimately be nine new destinations for Lynx.
Frontier targeted cities that were under served by low-fare carriers. Wichita – Denver begins October 1, followed by Rapid City and Sioux City on October 5. Searching Expedia, Lynx’s Sioux City – Denver service will be the only nonstop in the market, although Northwest (NWA) serves the route over Minneapolis with a Saab 340. Lynx’s fare is $196 compared with $262 for Northwest. Rapid City also has a nonstop on the route with United (UAUA), which matched Lynx’s $243 fare, as well as a one-stop, for $709, over Chicago. Lynx will serve both Sioux City and Rapid City with two roundtrips daily. In Wichita, the new $253 flight will complete against a USAirways (LCC) $567 roundtrip, the only other nonstop in the market. Both United and American serve the route over Chicago with one stops. Lynx will serve the market with three roundtrips daily.
"Frontier's growth has previously been fueled by mainline aircraft and the addition of key mainline markets," said John Happ, Frontier Senior Vice President of Marketing and Planning. "Today's new markets, as well as the additional Q400 cities we will announce in the near future, represent a critical step in our diversification plan. These high-yield, smaller density markets can leverage the strengths of our Denver hub."