Frontier Airlines Ends South Bend Services
Frontier Airlines has announced it will depart from South Bend Airport for the final time on Tuesday, Sept. 10.
Frontier began service at SBN on Oct. 11, 2012, with continual service to Denver four times weekly on a 138-seat Airbus 319 aircraft. Load factors have ranged from 70 percent to a peak of 85 percent in March. Through May, the Frontier flights were 79 percent full on average.
“When we began service to Denver, the data showed that we should have been able to get travelers to start their westward flights locally from SBN instead of driving to other larger airports,” said Mike Daigle, SBN’s executive director. “Unfortunately, although nonstop traffic to Denver did increase, Frontier was not able to remain profitable on this route.”
According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, Denver was the 22nd most flown to destination from South Bend in 2011. At the end of 2012, Denver became a top 10 destination of SBN travelers. Frontier’s arrival and service at SBN proved westward demand. SBN officials continue to meet with other airlines to recruit additional service to new destinations.
South Bend Airport remains the most convenient way for Michiana travelers to fly with nonstop flights to nine destinations and connections worldwide. Conveniences include easy access from the north, south, east and west; close-in and valet parking; quick check-in and security clearance; and free wi-fi.
Travelers may book tickets for flights to Denver with connections to 15 additional destinations to the west including San Francisco, Los Angeles and Seattle at www.flysbn.com through Sept. 9.
Source: South Bend Airport, Inside INdiana Business