Republic Airways and Frontier
Some Questions and Answers

On August 13, 2009, Republic Airways won the bankruptcy auction for Frontier Airlines after pilot unions at Frontier and at the only other bidder, Southwest Airlines, reached an impasse over seniority lists. Southwest's concession will make both Frontier Airlines and its subsidiary, Lynx, fully owned subsidiaries of Republic Airways Holdings.

Since the auction, many travelers have wanted to know more about Republic and the future of Frontier and its place in Denver.

What Is Republic Airways?

Republic Airways Holdings, Inc., based in Indianapolis, Ind., is not an airline. It is an aviation holding corporation that, with the purchase of Frontier and Lynx, will own six airlines operating in the United States. In addition to its new acquisitions, Republic owns Chautauqua Airlines, Midwest Airlines, Republic Airlines, and Shuttle America. Republic Airways Holdings also retains an 89-percent ownership stake in Mokulele Airlines.

A holding company is a company that owns other companies' outstanding stock. It usually refers to a company that does not produce goods or services itself – rather its only purpose is to own shares of other companies. Holding companies reduce their overall risk by diversifying the number of different companies they own and control.

On June 22, 2009, Frontier Airlines announced that, pending bankruptcy court approval, Republic Airways Holdings would acquire all assets of Frontier Airlines for $108 million. Frontier Airlines then would become a wholly owned subsidiary of Republic Airways Holdings. On September 10, the bankruptcy court approved Frontier’s Chapter 11 exit plan, which includes the sale to Republic.

So, What Is the Future of Frontier Operating as Its Own Airline?

Most aviation analysts agree that the sale of Frontier to Republic (expected to happen around Oct. 1, 2009) will allow Frontier to emerge from bankruptcy as a well-financed, competitive, and sustainable airline. Republic plans to let Frontier and Lynx maintain normal operations as subsidiaries, and expects further capital and growth opportunities.

Frontier aircraft taxiing underneath the bridge to Concourse A.

Both airlines’ customers will also be able to participate in each other’s frequent flyer programs – Frontier’s EarlyReturns program and Midwest’s Midwest Miles program – to earn miles and redeem them for tickets.

Denver International Airport Plans to Build Solar Project to Power Its Fuel Facility
Denver City Council has approved construction of a photovoltaic solar electricity-generating system that will power Denver International Airport’s fuel-storage and -distribution facility.

DIA will enter into an agreement with MP2 Capital and Oak Leaf Energy Partners to develop the $7 million, 1.6-megawatt solar project on approximately nine acres north of the airport’s airfield. Once operational, the new solar system is expected to provide approximately 100 percent of the fuel farm’s electricity consumption.

“DIA has a widespread reputation as a ‘green’ airport, and this project is another example of our commitment to environmental responsibility,” Aviation Manager Kim Day said.  The project should reduce energy costs for DIA’s airline and cargo business partners over the agreement’s 20-year term.

DIA's existing solar panels as shown here south of Jeppesen Terminal.

The proposed solar facility at DIA “promises to provide long-term cost savings to airport stakeholders while reaffirming the airlines’ ongoing commitment to cleaner energy,” said Air Transport Association President and CEO James C. May.  “Congratulations to all involved in moving this project forward.”

Twenty airline members of the DIA fuel committee and Aircraft Service International Group helped make the project a reality.

Taxi Flat Fares Increase to and from Denver International Airport
If you opt for a cab ride to or from Denver International Airport you will be paying higher flat rates for trips between the airport and Downtown, Boulder, and the Denver Technological Center.

The Colorado Public Utilities Commission, which regulates taxi operations, approved the fare increase for “non-metered” trips to specific zones because of the higher cost of providing service and gasoline prices. The increases went into effect July 30, coming 10 years after the last fare hike.

The new zone flat rates are:

• Zone A - Downtown Denver ---------- $53
• Zone B - Denver Tech Center ------- $57
• Zone C - Boulder ------------------------ $84

Zone A, or Downtown Denver, covers Clarkson Street (eastern boundary) west to Interstate 25 and between Park Avenue West to the north and 13th Avenue to the south.

Zone B, or the Denver Technological Center, basically encompasses the area between Dayton Street (eastern boundary) and Monaco Street (western boundary) and between Belleview Avenue to the north and Arapahoe Road to the south (Belleview to Quincy Avenue between Yosemite Street and Monaco is also part of the zone.)

Zone C comprises the area within Boulder’s city limits.

Taxi metered fares have remained the same since 1999.

DIA’s Second-Quarter Passenger Volume Down Four Percent
Chicago O’Hare Decline is Double Digits

Colorado’s Local Brews Welcome Air Travelers
Every year, thousands of brewers and beer enthusiasts flock to Denver for the Great American Beer Festival, which is being held September 24-26 this year. The festival is the American brewing industry's top public beer-tasting venue and competition. Since 2006, the Great American Beer Festival has welcomed more than 40,000 annual attendees to its four tasting sessions. More than half of the festival’s visitors come from outside Denver – from other Colorado cities and from many parts of the United States.

At the Great American Beer Festival, beer aficionados can tour America's brewing landscape, one ounce at a time, by sampling more than 1,800 different beers from more than 400 of the nation's finest breweries.

The festival also is a celebration of Colorado’s brewing industry. Within Colorado is the world's single-largest brewery (Coors). In addition, the state has an Anheuser-Busch brewery and a vibrant craft brewing industry (over 90 breweries in the state). Colorado is a major barley-producing region. The Colorado beer industry employs thousands of people and pumps millions of dollars into the local economy. In fact, the National Beer Wholesalers Association says that Colorado's beer industry brings $13.7 billion annually to Colorado’s economy, provides more than 69,000 jobs, and accounts for $1.2 million in federal, state, and local taxes.

Festival attendees can get their first taste of Colorado beer shortly after they step off the plane, because several of Colorado’s best breweries offer their suds at Denver International Airport.

Up to 14 Boulder-brewed ales and lagers are on tap at the Boulder Beer Tap House in DIA’s Jeppesen Terminal. Rock Bottom Brewing Co. operates a restaurant at Concourse C, and the recently opened Denver Chophouse & Brewery offers its food and libations at Concourse A. Rock Bottom and the Denver Chophouse feature menu items and brews that can also be found at their other Denver locations.

The regional jet facility at Concourse B hosts the New Belgium Hub, featuring food paired with beer from Ft. Collins brewery New Belgium, the nation’s third-largest craft brewer.

DIA’s breweries feature beer varieties from pale ales to stouts to strong ales, all guaranteed to satisfy every beer lover who flies through Denver.

Colorado’s Giant Sandbox Showcased at Jeppesen Terminal
Over the years children have used sandboxes for excavations to China or for construction of majestic castles (well, at least majestic sandcastles).

Now, travelers at Denver International Airport can learn about the closest ultimate sandbox – the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, located in south-central Colorado. 

The Art of the Dunes: Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve exhibit at DIA highlights the 30 square miles of mountains, grasslands, sand, and flowing streams that make up Great Sand Dunes. This unusual blend of scenery draws writers and artists to the park year-round for inspiration.  

Select works of these artists are on display through January 10, 2009, on the walkway to A Gates in DIA’s Jeppesen Terminal. Travelers can view photographs, paintings, maps, poems, and other artwork from regional artists whose creations evoke the dunes’ inimitable natural systems.

DIA Rolls Out Donations
Charitable donations are often hard to come by during economic downturns; however, businesses at Denver International Airport are finding new and creative ways to “give back.” Here are a few examples:

ISS Facility Management, the custodial and maintenance contractor for Denver International Airport, no longer throws out partial rolls of toilet paper. Instead, these unused rolls are donated to Denver Rescue Mission and Denver CareRing.
 
The generosity of the businesses at Denver International Airport extends to the airport’s concessions program. Some food vendors donate edible items that have not been purchased and that have a limited shelf-life to various food banks throughout Metro Denver. These donations come at a time when more and more families need food assistance and many local food banks have seen a drop in overall donations.
 
DIA’s Lost and Found Department partners with the Denver Department of Human Services to help Denver residents. Lost and Found clothing items that have gone unclaimed after an extended period of time are donated to citizens in need.

Denver International Featured in Greek Magazine Article

Denver International Airport and Aviation Manager Kim Day were featured in the July issue of Ptisi & Diastima (Flight and Space), a monthly Greek magazine covering aerospace and defense industry matters.

Delegation from China Visits DIA to Review Environmental Management System

At the DIA glycol plant, Inland Technologies International Operations Manager Brian Stierman speaks to a group of high-ranking Chinese airport officials who visited Denver International Airport on Sept. 11, 2009, to review U.S. airport environmental procedures.

DIA Has Busiest Month Ever!
With more than 5.1 million Passengers Traveling, July 2009 Tops the Record Books
Denver International Airport processed 5.1 million passengers in July, making 2009’s seventh month DIA’s busiest month in history and bucks the trend of declining passenger numbers that started last fall. July’s passenger total was a 2.2 percent increase from the 5,000,505 travelers who used the airport in July 2008. This is only the second time in history that monthly traffic at DIA has topped the 5 million mark.

“This is certainly good news for Denver International Airport,” Aviation Manager Kim Day said. “We’ve been seeing our numbers drop since last October and it is refreshing to see them headed in a different direction. Although we still anticipate finishing 2009 down overall, I think that this is an encourag-ing sign and certainly a reflection on how strong the Denver air travel market really is.”

Air Service News
Escaping Winter Woes
Snowbirds rejoice as the return of winter means the return of winter seasonal service to warm destinations by flying through DIA. Beginning October 17, Frontier will again serve Cozumel (CZM) and Mazatlan (MZT), Mexico, nonstop from Denver. The services will operate on Saturdays and Sundays through April.

Additionally, Frontier will begin daily nonstop flights from DIA to Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) in Fort Myers, Fla.,
on November 21.

To Telluride
When Telluride Regional Airport (TEX), North America’s highest commercial airport, reopens after construction on its single runway is finished, Great Lakes Airlines will resume flights on Nov. 2, 2009, between Telluride and Denver with twice-daily nonstop service.

Vail Reopens
After its closure for runway extension in May 2009, Vail’s Eagle Airport (EGE) reopened September 1. United Express operates eight daily flights between Denver and Vail.