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Frontier Begins Southeast U.S. Expansion: Starting in Tampa, Growing in Atlanta

Low-cost carrier Frontier Airlines is expanding their footprint to include the world’s biggest airport by passenger traffic. The Denver-based carrier will open a new crew base in Tampa in May 2021, but has ambitions to set up shop at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

Since re-launching their loyalty program in November 2020, Frontier Airlines has been aggressive in growing their footprint – but their latest announcement may be their most ambitious yet. In a press release, the company announced plans to set up a crew base at the world’s largest airport by passengers: Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL).

Southeast United States Targeted as Vital Market for Low-Cost Carrier

According to the Denver-based airline, Atlanta is one of two high-value markets for their global expansion plans. The airline currently operates nonstop service to 15 cities from ATL, but wants to grow their presence at the international gateway. The airline hopes to open their Atlanta base by the end of 2021.

“Any time we add a new crew base, it is an indicator of continued growth for our airline,” Barry Biffle, president and CEO of Frontier, said in a press release. “And also welcomed news for our crew members, who gain a new home base option, and local communities that reap the economic benefits.”

Before Frontier opens their base in Atlanta, another city in the southeast will welcome a number of new airline employees. To go along with their planned expansion to Georgia’s biggest city, the airline will open a crew base at Tampa International Airport (TPA) in May 2021. The airline anticipates around 400 workers will operate out of Tampa, including 250 flight attendants and 140 pilots.

“With our low-cost structure and focus on leisure travel, Frontier is exceptionally well positioned to increase operations this year,” Biffle said in the press release. “And continue to expand in these two growing markets.”

Currently, Frontier operates nonstop flights to 20 cities out of Tampa. It’s unknown if the airline will expand their total flights out of the airport as well.

More Airlines Look Southward for Network Expansion

While the expansion of Frontier could put them in head-to-head competition with Florida’s own Spirit Airlines, it’s not just the low-cost carriers looking to grow in the southern United States. In 2020, both JetBlue and United Airlines announced expansions into Florida and neighboring states, building on a recovery strategy focused on “visiting friends and relatives.”

1 Comments
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got2scuba February 6, 2021

I think this is really a country by country issue, Brazil, for instance, is on about the same schedule as the US for completing vaccinations. But really once I complete my vaccinations I am going to begin traveling. If you are virtually immune and your destination country allows travel if you are vaccinated I see no issue with traveling.