Frontier Airlines has announced it will cease operations at Seattle Paine Field International Airport, effective in early January 2024. This decision comes just seven months after the budget airline launched its routes from the Everett airport, which began in June 2023. Initially, Frontier offered flights twice a week to Denver, Las Vegas, and Phoenix, aiming to enhance travel options at the regional airport.
Propeller Airports, the operator of the Seattle Paine Field Passenger Terminal, had anticipated that these new routes would attract an additional 100,000 travelers annually. However, on Friday, Frontier confirmed the discontinuation of its Paine Field service. A spokesperson for the airline stated, “We periodically review and update routes based on market demand. We greatly value our partnership with Paine Field and, as with any market departure, we will continue to evaluate a potential return at some point in the future.”
With Frontier’s exit, Seattle Paine Field will now be served by only one major carrier, Alaska Airlines. Alaska offers flights to various destinations, including multiple locations in California, as well as Las Vegas, Phoenix, and Honolulu. Situated approximately 30 miles north of downtown Seattle, Paine Field positions itself as a more relaxed alternative to the larger Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.
Brett Smith, CEO of Propeller Airports, expressed confidence in the remaining service options available to travelers. “While Frontier has made strategic changes in recent weeks, including its exit from Paine Field, demand remains strong and travelers will continue to have access to the same destinations through Alaska,” he stated.
Despite the cessation of flights from Paine Field, Frontier will maintain its operations from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, continuing to offer the same routes to Denver, Las Vegas, and Phoenix. The airline’s decision reflects a broader trend of adjusting services based on market dynamics, a strategy that many airlines have adopted in recent years.
As the travel landscape continues to evolve, the focus now shifts to how Paine Field will adapt to the loss of Frontier and what opportunities may arise for future carriers.
