The move leaves Delaware as the only state without commercial flights
May 18th, 2022 – Frontier Airliners has announced that on June 6th, 2022, the airline will no longer provide flights at New Castle Airport near Wilmington, DE.
The move will leave the state of Delaware as the only state in the U.S. without commercial airline service.
This will mark the second time Frontier has departed Delaware – the airline previously offered commercial service to Orlando and Tampa in 2015, and restarted services to Orlando in February 2021 following delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Delaware River and Bay Authority operates the airport and recently completed $2 million worth of renovations to accommodate Frontier’s return.
New Castle Airport (ILG) surpassed 10,000 boardings in 2021, which elevated its status with the FAA and changed its designation from a “general aviation reliever airport” to a “primary commercial service airport”.
As a primary commercial airport, its federal funding was increased from $150,000 to over $1 million. Frontier also paid additional fees to operate at the airport. The loss of commercial service is likely to scale back the airport’s funding moving forward.
New Castle will focus on charter and general aviation flights, while Frontier manages it’s potential merger – in February, Frontier announced plans for a $3 billion merger with Spirit Airlines.
The deal aims to retain all current employees and add an additional 10,000 jobs within 4 years, and the DRBA is hopeful that services will return to the airport after the deal is finalized.
Flying to/from Delaware
With Frontier’s operations in Wilmington coming to an end, the closest alternatives with commercial airline services are the Philadelphia International Airport (PHL), located 25 miles to the Northeast, and the Baltimore/Washington International Airport (BWI), located 76 miles to the Southwest, both along I-95.
Private jets will continue to be available at New Castle Airport in Wilmington. In fact, Wilmington has one of the highest private jet ownership per capita ratios in the United States.
Light aircraft and executive turboprops are also available for local and regional private flights at airports in Dover, Georgetown, Middletown, and cities throughout the state of Delaware.
If you would like a free charter quote for private flights to/from Delaware, submit a request or call us directly at +1 (888) 987-5387.