CSBJ Daily

Frontier Airlines’ announcement to seek bankruptcy protection today is expected to have no effect on service to Colorado Springs.

“As we understand it there is going to be no impact on the airport or service here,” Springs Airport Aviation Director Mark Earl said.

Frontier Airlines Holdings Inc., the low-fare carrier’s parent company, said it was forced into bankruptcy after its principal credit card processor announced it would begin withholding a greater share of proceeds from ticket sales, which hurt Frontier’s liquidity.

The bankruptcy filing will prevent the credit card processor from increasing its “holdback” amount.

Frontier officials said they will continue to operate a full schedule of flights, pay suppliers and employees as it reorganizes.

The bankruptcy news comes two weeks after Frontier announced it would sell “commuter passes” that would allow travelers to fly from Denver or Colorado Springs to Aspen, Durango and Grand Junction.

Earl said the announcement will not affect the COS airport financially because Frontier agreements with airport were made before the bankruptcy announcement was made.

“We’ve become accustomed to working with airlines that have filed for bankruptcy protection,” Earl said. “We’ve worked with three airlines – Northwest, Delta and United – that reorganized under bankruptcy protection, and we’ve all weathered the storm together.”

Earl also said the press conference scheduled for 9 a.m. April 15 at the airport will still happen and that there’ll “probably just be more to talk about.”