en.Wedoany.com Reported - Frontier Airlines recently quietly suspended all flights from Spokane International Airport (GEG) in Washington state, without notifying passengers or airport staff in advance. According to sources familiar with the matter who spoke to Simple Flying, the airline's headquarters sent personnel to the airport on Friday to dismantle ticket counters, self-service kiosks, and all terminal signage, with employees receiving only 48 hours' notice. At 11:36 a.m. on Wednesday, Frontier Airlines Flight 3357 arrived in Spokane and departed at 12:31 p.m., reportedly the last flight at this station, with both employees and passengers unaware in advance.
Frontier Airlines is a major U.S. ultra-low-cost carrier (ULCC), known for its no-frills onboard experience and iconic aircraft featuring endangered animals on their tails. Last month, the airline announced plans to cut multiple routes in the third quarter, exiting six cities including Corpus Christi, Knoxville, St. Maarten, San José, Costa Rica, Sarasota, and Spokane, and suspending up to 20 routes. Frontier had originally scheduled July 3 as the last flight date for Spokane, but the actual suspension may have occurred a day earlier.
Frontier Airlines was the only carrier at Spokane Airport to provide its own wheelchair assistance services, and its exit is seen by local residents as another blow to the airport following the collapse of Spirit Airlines. Simple Flying contacted Frontier Airlines regarding the matter, and a spokesperson stated that ending service was a "difficult decision," adding, "Based on demand and current market dynamics, we made the difficult decision to cease service at Spokane International Airport... We will continue to evaluate opportunities to return in the future."
According to data from the U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS), Frontier Airlines has consistently held a low market share at Spokane Airport. The airport is dominated by Southwest Airlines (accounting for 22% of operations) and SkyWest Airlines, which operates regional flights for American Airlines and Alaska Airlines (each at 18%) and Delta Air Lines (at 16%). Following Frontier's suspension, service on the Denver route (previously operated by Frontier from Denver International Airport DEN and Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport PHX) will be provided by Southwest Airlines and United Airlines, while flights to Phoenix will continue to be operated by American Airlines and Southwest Airlines. Spokane Airport currently serves seven airlines, connecting to over 20 destinations across the U.S., with the most popular routes being Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA), Denver, and Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC).
Spokane International Airport is the second busiest airport in Washington state, located approximately 7 miles (11 kilometers) from downtown, with two runways (03/21 and 08/26) and three concourses (A, B, and C) within the terminal. Although Frontier's exit will impact some passenger itineraries, it is common industry practice for airlines to adjust schedules based on operational loads. Whether the airline will reassess the Spokane market next summer remains uncertain.
