Bozeman News

Why Frontier Airlines chose Bozeman over Billings

Posted: Dec 11, 2012 5:52 PM by Adam Bell
Updated: Dec 12, 2012 8:48 AM

BOZEMAN - A continued strong winter performance at Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport is one of the reasons Frontier Airlines has decided to continue service in the Bozeman area.

"We're very proud and happy to have them here," says Airport Director Brian Sprenger.

Last month, Frontier Airlines announced it will stop service to the Billings airport January 23.

This decision to continue service in Bozeman stems not only from the fact that Bozeman has potentially more passengers during the winter season, but also from a bigger airline decision, to be removing their smaller more inefficient aircraft.

"What frontier is really trying to do is transition into a low cost carrier. They're getting rid of their more inefficient aircraft like the smaller airplanes. And that actually means for Bozeman that we'll be going to all Airbuses to Denver on Frontier in mid-January, and that has an impact on the number of cities they can serve," says Sprenger.

In a statement, Frontier cited the strong winter season in Bozeman, saying, "Bozeman has historically outperformed Billings year round, but particularly in winter. Bozeman is very strong in the summer, and performs adequately in winter, unlike Billings. We suspect there is a reasonable amount of ski traffic, absent in Billings that helps Bozeman perform through the winter."

The airport has already broken last year's record year, with still weeks go, it's clear the Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport continues to remain strong all year round.