Frontier expands to Punta Gorda, shifts three routes from Fort Myers
After years of trying, Florida's Punta Gorda Airport has landed service from a second commercial carrier.
That will come from Frontier Airlines, which will launch nonstop flights between between the airport in southwest Florida and Chicago O’Hare, Philadelphia and Trenton, N.J.
The Chicago O'Hare and Philadelphia routes will be seasonal; Trenton, year-round.
It will be Frontier's first-ever service to Punta Gorda, which has emerged as a secondary airport near the Fort Myers metro area. Allegiant Air became the first airline to add regularly scheduled airline service to the airport in 2008. Punta Gorda -- about 35 miles from Fort Myers -- is now a major base for Allegiant Air, one of the USA's three large "ultra low-cost carriers" along with Spirit and Frontier.
But Punta Gorda Airport's gain is Southwest Florida International Airport's loss. That airport is the primary airport serving Fort Myers.
Daniel Shurz, Frontier's SVP - commercial, said "this is a transfer of service that was at (Southwest Florida International)."
"Punta Gorda Airport is meaningfully cheaper to use on a per-passenger basis," Schurz said. He estimated the airline will save more than $10 per departing passenger by the switch.
Punta Gorda Airport looks to take off, grow
Shurz emphasized, however, that Frontier has expanded significantly at Southwest Florida International in the past few years, and will remain a significant presence there. This winter, the airline will have 35 flights weekly out of Southwest Florida International and 10 from Punta Gorda Airport.
A Frontier news release says the airline also on Oct. 30 will inaugurate new service between West Palm Beach and Chicago O-Hare.
From Southwest Florida International, spokeswoman Victoria Moreland noted the much-bigger Fort Myers airport offers things Punta Gorda does not have. This includes covered jet bridges to aircraft, which are especially appreciated in inclement weather.
Added Moreland: "We are very pleased Frontier is keeping the bulk of their service at RSW."
The new Frontier service thrills Charlotte County Airport Commissioner Pam Seay.
“Holy smokes! This is what the people are asking for – alternatives,” Seay said.
Frontier is a great fit with the airport, according to Seay.
It’s a low-cost carrier like Allegiant Air, whose service to Punta Gorda has proliferated over the past few years. Frontier, however, offers different destinations.
Punta Gorda airport grows with Allegiant flights
“This fits in with our business model: a small airport serving the leisure market,” Seay said.
Increasingly, Punta Gorda Airport is winning over leisure travelers and part-time Southwest Florida residents who want budget airfares, but don’t necessarily need an airline to offer daily service.
Allegiant now serves 30 cities on either a seasonal or year-round basis from Punta Gorda. Airport officials estimate they’ll accommodate 1 million travelers by year-end.
New terminal wing debuts at Punta Gorda Airport
Seay believes that the Punta Gorda Airport's new and enlarged Bailey Terminal played a supporting role in landing a second carrier.
Said Seay: “Opening up the new terminal showed that we are dedicated to servicing commercial airlines while we continue to maintain our general aviation airport and our commerce park.”
Frontier's Punta Gorda schedule (all times local)
Chicago O'Hare (ORD)
Starts Oct. 30
Leave ORD: 8:15 a.m. Arrive PGD: 12:19 p.m.
Leave PGD: 1:10 p.m. Arrive ORD: 3:19 p.m.
Aircraft: 180-seat A320
Frequency: Tuesday, Thursday, Sunday
Philadelphia (PHL)
Starts Oct. 30
Leave PHL: 4:20 p.m. Arrive PGD: 7:16 p.m.
Leave PGD: 8:10 p.m. Arrive PHL: 10:48 p.m.
Aircraft: 180-seat A320
Frequency: Tuesday, Thursday, Sunday
Trenton, N.J. (TTN)
Stars Oct. 31
Leave TTN: 6 a.m. Arrive PGD: 9:06 a.m.
Leave PGD: 10:15 a.m. Arrive TTN: 12:58 p.m.
Aircraft: 150-seat A319
Frequency: Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday
Laura Ruane is a travel reporter atThe News-Pressof Fort Myers, Fla. Her content is occasionally featured here in Ben Mutzabaugh's Today in the Sky blog. The News-Press is owned by Gannett, parent company of USA TODAY.