Delaware, currently the only state in the US without commercial flights, will see scheduled services resume in May, as Frontier Airlines (F9, Denver International) returns to Wilmington New Castle, according to a press release issued by the airline.
On May 14, the ultra-low-cost carrier (ULCC) will restart flights to Orlando International with a 3x weekly service operated by its 71-aircraft strong fleet of A320-200s and A320-200neo. Frontier previously served Wilmington between 2013 and 2015 and operated to up to seven cities nonstop from the airport until it ended its flights to Orlando and Tampa International in April 2015.
Services to Wilmington have typically suffered because of its proximity to Philadelphia International, which is just 21 nautical miles away (38 kilometres) in terms of flying distance. Frontier currently offers 24,302 weekly seats and 118 weekly frequencies to 18 destinations from Philadelphia, including a 21x weekly service to Orlando.
Speaking to The Points Guy, Frontier spokesman Zach Kramer said the ULCC sees the “potential to add more [routes] in the future,” from Wilmington. Frontier Senior Vice President of Commercial Daniel Shurz added: "We recognize the demand for affordable air travel in Delaware and are happy to offer nonstop flights to Orlando this summer.”
“We’re pleased to welcome Frontier back to the State of Delaware and the Wilmington – New Castle Airport,” said Governor John Carney. “We’ve made significant infrastructure investments at the airport, and Frontier’s return will give Delawareans and travellers in the region a low-cost, convenient way to travel.”
Frontier operates nearly 100 A320 Family aircraft and has the largest A320neo fleet (currently 51) in the US. It also has 165 aircraft on order - ninety-eight A320neo, forty-nine A321-200neo and eighteen A321neo(XLR).
