AirTran Cuts Open New Frontier from Orlando

The decision by AirTran Airways to end commercial passenger services to a number of US regional markets from August 2012 as part of its continuing merger with Southwest Airlines is opening the door for a number of its rivals to expand their own domestic networks. The latest carrier to profit from AirTran’s strategy is Frontier Airlines which has confirmed new routes from Orlando International to the Pennsylvanian cities of Allentown and Harrisburg.

AirTran Airways will end its flights between Orlando International and Allentown’s Lehigh Valley International Airport from August 26, 2012 alongside seasonal routes to the facility from Atlanta and Fort Lauderdale. Frontier Airlines plans to enter the market from May 26, 2012, initially offering a twice weekly service alongside its low-cost rival, although it is likely to up capacity once AirTran leaves the market and potentially match its daily operation. An estimated 178,000 O&D passengers travelled between the two airports in 2011, a route that up until recently was also served by Allegiant Air – the carrier has since switched its flights from Orlando International to Orlando Sanford.

It is a similar story for the link between Orlando International and Harrisburg International. AirTran Airways will end its double daily flights from August 12, 2012, but again Frontier Airlines will enter the market ahead of the carrier’s departure, initially offering a four times weekly schedule from May 24, 2012. An estimated 110,000 O&D passengers travelled on this route during 2011.

“We’re very pleased to provide travelers in eastern Pennsylvania with Frontier’s low-fare, customer-pleasing service to Orlando,” said David Siegel, President and Chief Executive Officer, Frontier Airlines. “We’re confident they will appreciate our nonstop flights to Orlando International Airport – the closest airport to Orlando's world-class attractions, the Orange County Convention Center and the downtown business district.”

Allentown is a brand new destination for Frontier, while the carrier recently announced that it will begin serving Harrisburg from Denver in May. The airline already offers flights from Orlando International to Denver, Des Moines, Kansas City, Knoxville, Madison, Milwaukee and Omaha. The two new routes will both be operated using 138-seat Airbus A319 equipment.