Frontier Adds Flight to South Bend

US carrier Frontier Airlines is to launch a new service from its Denver International Airport hub to the Indiana city of South Bend, located at the southernmost bend on the St Joseph River in St Joseph country, from which it derives its name. The four times weekly link will commence on October 11, 2012 and will be operated using an Airbus A319. “Community demand for the addition of our service to South Bend has been strong,” said Daniel Shurz, Senior Vice President, Commercial, Frontier Airlines.

South Bend is the fourth largest city in Indiana, and the economic and cultural hub of the Michiana region. It has a population of around 101,168 residents, while the wider metropolitan area has a population of 317,663, according to a 2010 census. The main drivers of the local economy are health care, education, small business, and tourism and a number of large corporations including Crowe Horwath, Honeywell, and AM General have large presences.

“Frontier Airlines is an ideal match for our airport and we are delighted that they have chosen to begin nonstop service to Denver from South Bend,” said Mike Daigle, Executive Director of the St Joseph County Airport Authority. “The new service is a vital western connection that will help the region to attract new business and tourists, while creating a more affordable and more comfortable option for travelers going west from South Bend.”

Frontier Airlines will serve South Bend Regional Airport which acts as the transportation hub for Michiana. Located in the Northwest of the city off the US 31 and the Indiana Toll Road, the airport is currently linked to ten destinations comprising Atlanta, Chicago O'Hare, Cleveland, Detroit, Las Vegas, Minneapolis, Orlando, Phoenix, Punta Gorda and St Petersburg. These flights are mainly operated by regional jet and turboprop equipment of feeder airlines serving the US majors, although Allegiant Air also offers low-cost flights using McDonnell Douglas Md-80s, currently the largest aircraft type serving South Bend.

The table below highlights the largest operators from South Bend Regional Airport by seat capacity this month. The airport handled just under one million passengers last year making it the second largest facility in the state of Indiana. When Frontier Airlines launches operations it will have an approximate 6.5 per cent share of the total monthly seat capacity ranking it as the fifth largest operator at South Bend.