Frontier JetExpress began flying in partnership with its new provider, Seattle-based Horizon Air, a subsidiary of Alaska Air Group, Inc., to Boise on Jan. 1.
Horizon replaces Frontier's former regional jet operator, Mesa Airlines, whose agreement with Frontier to operate five 50-seat aircraft expired Dec. 31, 2003.
The inaugural marks the first flight of a 12-year relationship between Frontier and Horizon Air announced in September 2003.
Under the agreement, Frontier will pay Horizon a base margin and performance-based incentives to operate flights as Frontier JetExpress and Frontier will maintain control of scheduling and destinations.
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Horizon initially will operate four 70-seat Bombardier CRJ-700 aircraft beginning Jan. 1, and will operate nine 70-seat Bombardier CRJ-700 aircraft by May 30, 2004.
The initial cities to be served include Boise, Ontario, Calif., Oklahoma City, Tucson, Albuquerque, San Jose, Calif., Austin and El Paso, Texas.
"This marks a great day for Frontier customers who fly our regional jet service," said Frontier President and CEO Jeff Potter in a statement.
Horizon, the eighth largest regional airline in the U.S., currently serves 45 cities in six western states and British Columbia and Alberta, with average boardings of 390,000 passengers per month.
Horizon's current fleet of 61 aircraft consists of 37-seat Bombardier Q200 turboprops, and new 70-seat Bombardier Q400 turboprops and CRJ-700 regional jets, which Horizon began taking delivery of in May 2001.
Horizon was the North American launch customer for both new aircraft and the average age of the fleet is three years.
Denver-based Frontier, in its 10th year of operations, is the second largest jet service carrier at Denver International Airport with a fleet of 39 aircraft and 3,800 employees.
It operates routes linking its Denver hub to 37 cities in 22 states and to four cities in Mexico.
Founded 22 years ago, Horizon Air serves 45 cities throughout Idaho, California, Oregon, Washington, Montana, Arizona, British Columbia and Alberta.
Horizon Air and Alaska Airlines are subsidiaries of Alaska Air Group Inc.
