Frontier Airlines EarlyReturns - Going back to IAH (Houston Airport Shuffle)

Looks like "due to customer demand," F9 will change from HOU back over to IAH. Like their PIE/TPA shuffle, looks like they weren't having as much luck out of HOU.

Here is the announcement:

http://media.frontierairlines.com/article_display.cfm?article_id=5347

How long as the route been all E90? Could the shift signal they want to go international from Houston, or were bookings really that shodddy out of HOU?

Originally posted here (http://www.whendoublewidesfly.com/2012/04/frontier-moves-from-hou-to-iah.html)



Frontier Airlines (F9) announced today they are giving SWA a break but taking on the larger giant United at Bush-Intercontinental (IAH) airport in Houston. F9 will move across town and will depart for a final farewell from Houston Hobby, only 7 miles from downtown on July 10, 2012 and will resume flights Wednesday July 11, 2012 at the larger and further (23 miles from downtown) IAH. F9 will be the only LCC at IAH (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/frontier-airlines-to-shift-houston-operations-back-to-bush-intercontinental-in-july-2012-04-16).


Flights will continue to operate on the E-190 region jets, seating 99 people with, features like onboard Wi-Fi (fee for use) and two-by-two leather seats. the E-190s have Five rows of STRETCH seating which offer an additional 5 to 7 inches of legroom, and the airline's new SELECT seating product will be available on every flight--meaning no cookies. Furthermore, F9 has secured the same landing slot times at IAH as Hobby and will keep to their same schedule. Those passengers already ticked from HOU will automatically be rebooked on the flights from IAH.

Route Departs Arrives Frequency Aircraft
------- ----------- ---------- ---------------- --------
DEN-IAH 8:15 a.m. 11:33 a.m. Daily except Sat E190
------- ----------- ---------- ---------------- --------
DEN-IAH 3:00 p.m. 6:19 p.m. Daily E190
------- ----------- ---------- ---------------- --------
IAH-DEN 12:04 p.m. 1:30 p.m. Daily except Sat E190
------- ----------- ---------- ---------------- --------
IAH-DEN 6:55 p.m. 8:18 p.m. Daily E190
------- ----------- ---------- ---------------- -------

Analyst says Frontier will be the only domestic low-cost carrier at Bush Intercontinental and it shall bring low fares to Houston's larger airport. Originally I was skeptical about this, because despite being at two different airports, United already fights steep competition from SWA operating out of Hobby, like AA at DFW competes with SWA across town at Dallas-Love. However, fares on F9 are currently priced at a steady $133 in July regardless of which Houston airport one flies from and taxes and fees are listed at an even $5.00 passenger facility charge regardless of what Huston airport one flies from.

F9 is confident passengers will stand behind the airlines as they shift from HOU to IAH. David Siegel, president and chief executive officer of Frontier said, "We're confident that Frontier customers will appreciate the convenience and increased flexibility when we move back to Houston's primary airport...In particular, the great connection opportunities that Bush Intercontinental offers will provide our passengers with additional travel choices." F9 has a number of interline agreements in place that will allow passengers to connect onward from IAH that were not available at HOU. Some include but are not limited to United, EVA, and Singapore airlines, all which have service at IAH.

How long as the route been all E90? Could the shift signal they want to go international from Houston, or were bookings really that shodddy out of HOU?

Per the news release "Frontier Airlines has experienced strong growth of more than 6% in the Houston market since 2008"

F9 has a number of interline agreements in place that will allow passengers to connect onward from IAH that were not available at HOU. Some include but are not limited to United, EVA, and Singapore airlines, all which have service at IAH.May just have to try connecting to SQ to reach Moscow someday.

1) David Siegal once ran Continental Express. I suspect his knowledge of the IAH-HOU market is more relevant than the last F9 management team.

2) More oil service firms locate near IAH than HOU, presumably to take advantage of the 'global reach' offered at IAH. I'm sure the shale gas prospectors in the Rockies appreciate a more convenient airport.

3) The faulty perception that secondary airports such as HOU, DAL, MDW, OAK suffer from versus major hubs in their own city. Unless you have specific business in The Woodlands, HOU is still closer to downtown Houston, the medical center and Reliant Stadium, as well as cruise ships in Galveston.