Frontier, Spirit adding nearly a dozen routes at TPA
TPA is expecting to add nearly a dozen new flights in the coming months aboard two of the Airport’s ultra-low cost carriers, Frontier Airlines and Spirit Airlines.
On Tuesday, Sept. 28, Frontier Airlines announced the launch of five new flights, including service to two previous unserved destinations: Green Bay (GRB) and Central Illinois Regional Airport at Bloomington-Normal (BMI). The other three flights announced are to New York – LaGuardia (LGA), Rochester, NY (ROC) and Columbus, OH.
Spirit Airlines had previously announced the launch of four new routes, including nonstop flights to St. Louis, MO (STL), Milwaukee, WI (MKE), Louisville, KY (SDF) and Manchester, NH (MHT).
With this service, TPA will now serve more destinations than before COVID-19 with passenger levels that are just a tick below the Airport’s pre-pandemic levels. TPA currently serves 78 destinations compared to 69 in September 2019.
“Our carriers are seeing leisure travelers flock to our region’s fantastic tourist attractions, world-class beaches and outdoor activities, and that’s extremely appealing to them,” said Alex Heiter, TPA’s Director of Air Service Development. “We’re extremely grateful for the continued investment and belief in the Tampa Bay market.”
Both Frontier and Spirit have seen a strong rebound over the past year. Frontier’s scheduled departures for October 2021 are up 280 percent compared to the previous year, and the airline’s total number of destinations has jumped from five to 12. Spirit’s scheduled departures for October 2021 are up 74 percent compared to the previous year, and the airline’s destinations have increased from 13 to 16.
In addition to new flights, Frontier has also made a significant financial commitment to Tampa International Airport and Tampa Bay earlier this year by opening a new crew base. The crew base, which will be home to some 400 crew members, will help position the airline for future growth in the market.
A breakdown of Spirt and Frontier’s upcoming flights:
Frontier to NY Stewart International Airport (SWF) Tuesday, Nov. 2*
Frontier to Dallas (DFW) Friday, Nov. 5
Spirit to St. Louis (STL) Wednesday, Nov. 17
Spirit to Milwaukee (MKE) Wednesday, Nov. 17
Spirit to Louisville (SDF) Thursday, Nov. 18
Spirit to Manchester, NH (MHT) Thursday, Nov. 18
Frontier to Rochester (ROC) Tuesday, Nov. 30
Frontier to New York – LaGuardia (LGA) Wednesday, Dec. 1
Frontier to Green Bay (GRB) Thursday, Dec. 16*
Frontier to Columbus (CMH) Friday, Dec. 17
Frontier to Bloomington-Normal Friday, Dec. 17*
*Currently unserved