Frontier scaling back on connecting flights, cites rising operatings costs at DIA

In a letter to employees, Frontier Airlines CEO Dave Siegel said that connecting traffic is no longer profitable for the airline.

KMGH-TV reporter Marc Stewart tweeted that Frontier will reduce flights from DIA by approximately 18% in 2015.

Corporate Communications Director Todd Lehmacher said in an email to KRDO NewsChannel 13 that the airline will cut down the number of connecting flights it offers, which means some of the airports it serves will see fewer connecting flights per day. He said a handful of small cities are losing Frontier service entirely.

Siegel’s letter says that property taxes have doubled in Colorado in the last two years and airport landing fees are up 30-percent over the past three years, adding to the financial strain.

The letter goes on to say that with fewer flights and connecting passengers at DIA, Frontier will need fewer employees to staff the operation with the new winter schedule. Siegel said in the letter that the company hopes to accomplish the staff cutbacks mostly through retirements and natural attrition.