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Frontier to launch new service, but turboprops await OK

Chris Walsh, Rocky Mountain News

Published September 4, 2007 at midnight

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Frontier Airlines plans to start its new turboprop service early next month between Denver and several smaller cities in nearby states.

Passengers, though, might not initially fly on the gleaming propeller-driven planes.

The Denver-based airline has yet to receive approval from the Federal Aviation Administration to fly the Bombardier Q400 turboprop aircraft through its startup subsidiary, Lynx Aviation.

Frontier has backup plans in place to operate the service using other aircraft in case it doesn't win approval by then - a key reason it was able to obtain a waiver to sell seats on the flights.

But the Lynx service wouldn't be as profitable for Frontier as long as it's forced to fly other aircraft on the routes.

FAA officials said the process is ongoing, adding it could take longer than a month. In addition to certifying the planes, the agency must approve a host of related things like training books and manuals.

"There's no specific issue in this case. It just takes a long time," said FAA spokesman Allen Kenitzer. "The airlines always hope it moves quickly, but it's a huge process."

The turboprop service, branded Frontier, is a key part of the company's diversification strategy. Frontier will be able to tap new, largely underserved markets with little competition from other airlines.

"I think we're doing everything we possibly can" to get the certification, said Joe Hodas, a spokesman for Frontier. "Lynx has dotted all its i's and crossed all its t's, and we're trying to get this launched on time."

Frontier plans to start its Lynx turboprop service on Oct. 1 with flights to Billings, Mont., and Wichita, Kan., and adding Sioux City, Iowa, and Rapid City, S.D., on Oct. 5. It also plans to add turboprop service to Albuquerque starting in late October.

Frontier could use some of its regional jets operated by partners Horizon Air and Republic Airlines if it doesn't have certification next month. Horizon's jets have four fewer seats than the 74-seat turboprop aircraft, while Republic's have two more. The carrier also could use its larger Airbus jets if needed.

The company has yet to announce any Colorado markets for Lynx service, although observers have said Aspen and Vail are a lock. Frontier doesn't have approval to fly to some mountain destinations for the turboprop service, but it hopes to in time for ski season.

Still, a delayed approval - as long as it's not protracted - could actually help Frontier, one observer said.

"While it may change the economics of the operation as a whole for a while, it will probably smooth the transition to the new type of plane," said Stuart Klaskin, an aviation consultant in Florida.

"It will give ground crews in these new cities a chance to get used to the process. It's sort of a way to ease into it," Klaskin said.

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