How Will Travlers Be Affected By Southwest/Frontier Deal?

By Samantha Andersons.anderson@krdo.comFollow me on Twitter at www.twitter.com/SamEAnderson

COLORADO SPRINGS – Major changes are in store for Frontier Airlines.

Southwest Airlines plans to take over all of the existing markets; they even upped their bid since Monday, adding more than $50 million to the pot.

Both Southwest and Republic Airways will bid for the bankrupt airline Thursday. While there may be changes, travelers in Colorado Springs won’t be affected too much.

“Southwest has the opportunity of acquiring a major competitor and one of the best airlines in America,” stated Mike Boyd, President of Boyd Group Inc. Boyd adds that while Denver may see some drop in capacity, Colorado Springs isn’t going to get hurt at all by this deal.

Colorado Springs Airport’s Director of Aviation, Mark Earle, tells NEWSCHANNEL 13 that Southwest would bring a big boost for passengers. “It’s exciting the possibility having connection to Southwest coming through the airport,” he said. “The more service available here the better.”

Mayor Lionel Rivera has been trying to bring southwest in since 2003. “This is a backdoor way coming in, frankly that’s okay,” Mayor Rivera stated. “I think it will bring airfare down in Colorado Springs which is a big plus for all of us.”

Travelers won’t notice a change for the first two years, until Southwest merges their operations.

The airline has also said it would keep the Lynx service in place. “The 6 flights a day we have from Colorado Springs to Denver will remain,” said Mayor Rivera.

If Republic Airways gets the bid, not only will Frontier keep its name, but its popular planes with animal logos on the tails. “Bottom line of it is people in Colorado Springs don’t have anything to fear at all about this,” said Boyd.

The auction begins Thursday and could last until August 17th.