Frontier Airlines Throttles Back on Missoula Service

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - Just a few months after announcing a new Missoula to Phoenix direct flight, Frontier Airlines is canceling the flight, as part of a nationwide move to cut costs by eliminating dozens of routes.

The news comes as a disappointment to administrators at the Missoula Montana Airport, who had been excited to have the low-cost carrier provide connections on a route that would offer travelers a direct connection to one of the most popular destinations in the Southwest.

However, Frontier will continue to provide direct flights to other regional destinations.

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Fixing an "imbalance" in routes

Several Arizona and Colorado news outlets caught wind of the cuts last week.

9News in Denver reported Frontier is cutting a total of 43 routes to address what's being called an "imbalance between supply and demand." The cuts will impact airports nationwide, including some routes such as Missoula-Phoenix that were just implemented this year.

The cuts for Missoula don't include the direct-to-Denver flights that also started last spring.

READ MORE: How the Missoula Montana Airport Dealt with Crowdstrike Problems

Disappointment for Missoula's offerings

Director Brian Ellestad says the airport "would have liked  for them to have continued it into fall and winter during our peak times for that market."

At the same time, Ellestad tells me he's "happy that we continue to have Denver service into our fall months."

Will the Frontier flights rise like the Phoenix?

It's possible. The airline isn't ruling out the idea some of the routes might be revived in 2025.

Frontier spokeswoman Jennifer De la Cruz told 9News in a statement Frontier would "evaluate individual markets for potential resumption in 2025, based on relevant seasonal performance."