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ULCC Frontier Airlines will open a new crew base next year at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG) and reestablish a crew base serving both of Chicago’s major airports.

The crew base at CVG will open in May 2024. Denver International Airport (DEN)-based Frontier expects to have 80 pilots and 160 flight attendants stationed at the airport by May 2025.

“The opening of a crew base will bring new jobs and meaningful wage impact to the greater Cincinnati area, creating positive benefits for the airport and local community,” Frontier CEO Barry Biffle says in a statement.

CVG CEO Candace McGraw adds: “We were very grateful when Frontier entered our market 10 years ago as our first low-cost carrier. . . .  We welcome Frontier’s investment to open a crew base at CVG and we are appreciative of this vote of confidence in our region.”

Frontier currently serves 12 markets from CVG: Atlanta; Cancun, Mexico; DEN; Dallas-Fort Worth; Las Vegas: Philadelphia; Phoenix; Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina; and Fort Myers, Miami, Orlando and Tampa in Florida.

Also in May 2024, Frontier, an all-Airbus A320-family aircraft operator, will reopen a crew base in Chicago serving both Midway (MDW) and O’Hare (ORD) airports. The base was closed in April 2022.

“The base is expected to employ up to 110 pilots within its first year of operation,” Frontier says. “Combined with 190 existing flight attendant positions, the Chicago base will house a total of 300 Frontier crewmembers.”

Biffle adds: “As we continue to grow in Chicago, it makes sense to establish a crew base to help support our expanding operations.”

Chicago Department of Aviation Commissioner Jamie Rhee says the reopened Frontier base “bolsters our city’s position as a pivotal hub for the global aviation system, “adding: “Importantly, this strategic move will allow the carrier to maintain their diverse and growing service at both O’Hare and Midway, keeping airfares competitive and enhancing options for Chicago consumers."

Frontier currently serves 13 destinations from MDW and five from ORD.

Fuente: https://aviationweek.com/air-transport/airports-networks/frontier-airlines-add-cincinnati-crew-base-reopen-chicago-base

Aaron Karp is a Contributing Editor to the Aviation Week Network.