SEATTLE & DENVER, September 20 /CNW/ - Horizon Air and Frontier Airlines (NASDAQ:FRNT - News) announced today plans to amend their 12-year contract. Horizon, which has been operating nine CRJ-700 regional jets (RJs) as Frontier JetExpress since January 2004, will begin returning its 70-seat aircraft to current and new routes throughout Horizon's West Coast network as the two airlines conclude the contract. The details of the return timeline are still in negotiation as both airlines work to ensure a mutually beneficial schedule.
Today's announcement follows Frontier's recent news that it is seeking to grow its RJ fleet from the current nine aircraft to up to 20 RJs. In reviewing the subsequent request-for-proposal (RFP) issued by Frontier, Horizon concluded that the investment in the additional aircraft needed to support Frontier JetExpress's expansion would compete for capital that could be invested in growing the Horizon Air/Alaska Airlines network, and that the nine aircraft assigned to JetExpress are needed to support Horizon's current network and planned growth within its service territory.
Today's announcement follows Frontier's recent news that it is seeking to grow its RJ fleet from the current nine aircraft to up to 20 RJs. In reviewing the subsequent request-for-proposal (RFP) issued by Frontier, Horizon concluded that the investment in the additional aircraft needed to support Frontier JetExpress's expansion would compete for capital that could be invested in growing the Horizon Air/Alaska Airlines network, and that the nine aircraft assigned to JetExpress are needed to support Horizon's current network and planned growth within its service territory.
Comment