NEWS

$49 Frontier fare sale on for Punta Gorda; flights start in fall

LAURA RUANE
LRUANE@NEWS-PRESS.COM

Frontier Airlines rolled out $49 one-way introductory fares  less than 24 hours after announcing it will serve Punta Gorda Airport with three nonstop destinations starting this fall.

October 30 is the launch date for the Denver-based airline's service  between Punta Gorda and Chicago-O’Hare, Philadelphia and Trenton, N.J.

Tickets much be purchased by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time, Wednesday, July 27.

They are good for nonstop travel occurring from Oct. 30, 2016, through Feb. 8, 2017.

Some blackout dates apply. And, there are other caveats. Get the details at https://www.flyfrontier.com/ways-to-save/online-deals/.

Use drop-down box to find "Fort Myers/Punta Gorda."

A Frontier news release says the airline also on Oct. 30 will inaugurate new service between Palm Beach International and Chicago-O-Hare. There's a $59 one-way, sale fare for that route.

Snorkel adventure returns to Charlotte Harbor

This will be Frontier's first-ever service to Punta Gorda, an airport that's operated several years with only one commercial carrier: Allegiant Air.

The Chicago-O'Hare and Philadelphia routes will be seasonal; Trenton, year-round.

Frontier previously operated these routes out of Southwest Florida International. It's a "transfer of service" and an "experiment," said

Daniel Shurz, Frontier senior vice president/commercial.

"Punta Gorda Airport is meaningfully cheaper to use on a per-passenger basis," Shurz said. He estimated the airline will save more than $10 per departing passenger by the switch.

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.

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.

“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 out of Punta Gorda. Airport officials estimate they’ll accommodate 1 million travelers by year-end.

Seay praised Airport Director Gary Quill for his work securing the service.

Seay believes that the 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.”

The schedule

Frontier Airlines begins service to Punta Gorda Airport Oct. 30.

Chicago O’Hare (ORD) - Punta Gorda (PGD)

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) – Punta Gorda

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 (TTN) – Punta Gorda

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 

Frontier Airlines to inaugurate  service to Punta Gorda Airport in the fall, joining Allegiant Air at the airport 20 miles north of Fort Myers, Florida.
Punta Gorda Airport has grown in service and terminal size over the past several years.