Frontier Airlines has announced it will cease operations at Seattle Paine Field International Airport in January 2024. This decision comes just seven months after the airline initiated routes from the Everett airport, aiming to enhance travel options for local residents.
The budget airline commenced services from Paine Field on June 15, 2023, offering flights twice a week to popular destinations including Denver, Las Vegas, and Phoenix. Propeller Airports, the operator of the Seattle Paine Field Passenger Terminal, had anticipated that these new routes would attract an additional 100,000 travelers annually. However, on December 1, 2023, Frontier confirmed it would end these specific services in “early January.”
A spokesperson for Frontier Airlines stated, “We periodically review and update routes based on market demand. We greatly value our partnership with Paine Field and, as with any market departure, we will continue to evaluate a potential return at some point in the future.” The news was first reported by the Daily Herald.
This exit leaves Paine Field with just one major airline, Alaska Airlines, which continues to operate flights to various California locations, as well as Las Vegas, Phoenix, and Honolulu. Situated approximately 30 miles north of downtown Seattle, Paine Field promotes itself as a less crowded and more relaxed alternative to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.
Brett Smith, CEO of Propeller Airports, commented on the recent changes, saying, “While Frontier has made strategic changes in recent weeks, including its exit from Paine Field, demand remains strong and travelers will continue to have access to the same destinations through Alaska.”
Despite the discontinuation of services at Paine Field, Frontier Airlines will maintain its flights from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, continuing to serve the Denver, Las Vegas, and Phoenix routes previously offered at Paine Field. This strategic shift demonstrates the airline’s ongoing commitment to meeting market needs while adapting to changing travel patterns.
