Frontier Airlines exits 10 cities, slows growth to achieve profits

Frontier Airlines is making some big changes to its map this year in an effort to return to the black.

The Denver-based discount airline has ended or will end service to 10 cities as it slows growth to around 10% annually through the end of the decade, a Frontier spokesperson confirmed.

Frontier is exiting the following airports:

• Patrick Leahy Burlington International Airport (BTV) in Vermont — ended November 2025
• Charleston International Airport (CHS) — ends May 2026
• Green Bay Austin Straubel International Airport (GRB) in Wisconsin — ended August 2025
• Harrisburg International Airport (MDT) in Pennsylvania — ends April 2026
• Missoula Montana Airport (MSO) — ended December 2025
• Portland International Jetport (PWM) in Maine — ended August 2025
• Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport (SAV) — ended October 2025
• Cyril E. King Airport (STT) on St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands — ended August 2025
• Henry E. Rohlsen Airport (STX) on St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands — ended August 2025
• Tulsa International Airport (TUL) — ends May 2026

A Frontier spokesperson said the exits were “based on demand and broader market dynamics.”

Related: Frontier’s cancellations and delays ‘not acceptable,’ new CEO says, vowing to get better

U.S. budget airlines have struggled since the COVID-19 pandemic. Costs rose dramatically but revenue growth — especially among the cost-conscious leisure flyers that are the bread and butter of Frontier and competitor Spirit Airlines — has not kept pace. Spirit, Frontier’s main competitor, filed for two Chapter 11 bankruptcies in as many years, and it is unclear what the airline will look like if it emerges.

On Wednesday, Frontier reported a net loss of $137 million in 2025. Executives unveiled plans to shrink its fleet of 176 planes by returning 24 Airbus A320neos to the aircraft leasing company AerCap. The airline will then focus on increasing the amount it flies its remaining planes to achieve its roughly 10% growth target for 2026.

Related: Everything you should know before flying Spirit Airlines

“As we look ahead to fiscal 2026, we are encouraged by demand trends and are laser focused on returning Frontier to profitability,” Jimmy Dempsey, president and CEO of Frontier, said in a statement. “To achieve this, we’re executing a strategy centered on four key priorities: rightsizing our fleet, strengthening our cost discipline, reducing cancellations and improving on-time performance, and maturing customer loyalty.”

As part of that plan, Frontier also postponed the deliveries of 69 new A320neos from the next three years to now begin in 2030 or later.