Mobile Downtown in Alabama will lose its only scheduled services in April, as Frontier Airlines (F9, Denver International) will withdraw its flights from the airport, according to a report on AL.com. The ultra-low-cost carrier (ULCC) currently flies 3x weekly to its Denver International base, and last year it also operated to Chicago O'Hare before the service was terminated on November 13.

Frontier was the only airline using the USD8 million terminal which opened on May 1, 2019, and is located within the Brookley Aeroplex south of downtown Mobile. The Mobile Airport Authority (MAA), which runs the airport, does not expect the ULCC to return to the city before next year.

The ULCC released a media statement on the service withdrawal: "We have made the difficult decision to suspend operations at Mobile Downtown Airport in April 2020 based on a lack of sufficient demand to support the service. We greatly appreciate the partnership and support we have received from the airport and community in bringing service to Mobile and will continue to evaluate the potential for future opportunities."

The MAA's press release on the Frontier news added: "The Frontier experience in Mobile is a success story. Since the opening of BFM on May 1, Frontier has served more than 40,000 passengers providing non-stop direct seasonal service to Denver and Chicago. Simply put, the planes were full. Although we are disappointed that service will end, we do understand their business strategy to pursue opportunities recently presented at airports in large metro areas, such as Ontario International (Los Angeles), New York Newark, and Miami International."

"We are thankful that Frontier has proven the concept, and the data from Frontier's involvement in Mobile has created a strong interest in BFM from other carriers. We are excited that Mobile is now part of the national battle to attract new carriers and cities due to our new airport at BFM," continued the MAA press release.

Another airport serves the Alabama city, Mobile Regional, also operated by MAA, and is served by Delta Air Lines (to Atlanta Hartsfield Jackson), American Airlines (to Dallas/Fort Worth and Charlotte International), and United Airlines (to Houston Intercontinental). The suspension of service from Mobile Downtown is not expected to delay efforts underway to move the city's commercial air services from Mobile Regional to Mobile Downtown. "We remain committed to the downtown airport at Brookley," said Jen Zoghby, spokeswoman for Mobile Mayor Sandy Stimpson.

In 2019, Frontier suspended its services from another Alabama airport, as Birmingham, AL lost its flights to Philadelphia International, Orlando International and Denver. However, the ULCC will expand its presence in Huntsville International in north Alabama in 2020, adding a 3x weekly service to Denver on May 1 to its existing 2x weekly Orlando operation.