Nov 9, 2023 - News

Frontier Airlines to establish crew base in Cleveland

Sam Allard

Cleveland officials with Polar Bear mascot for Frontier Airlines standing at press event — L-R: Mayor Justin Bibb, Frontier CEO Barry Biffle, Port director Bryant Francis and "Powder" the polar bear at a Hopkins press conference last week. Photo: Courtesy of Frontier Airlines

Low-cost carrier Frontier Airlines, the third-largest and fastest-growing airline at Cleveland Hopkins, will soon have an even bigger presence in Northeast Ohio.

Driving the news: Frontier announced Wednesday that it will open a crew base in Cleveland in 2024, an expansion that will come with about 400 new jobs — up to 110 pilots, 250 flight attendants and 50 aircraft maintenance personnel — within the first year.

By the numbers: Frontier estimates the base will generate $80 million in local wages annually, with additional growth projected.

The big picture: Cleveland will be one of Frontier's 11 crew bases nationwide. A spokesperson tells Axios that a crew base typically entails a crew room at the airport.

Plus: Pilots, flight attendants and other personnel will live here.

What they're saying: "The city of Cleveland and the entire region will benefit from the many layers of value that come with a new crew base," said Mayor Justin Bibb, in a statement.

"We are grateful for the confidence Frontier has in the Cleveland market and for the economic boost that will follow from this investment."

🛫 What's next: Frontier CEO Barry Biffle told Cleveland.com that Clevelanders should expect more new routes in 2024.

Frontier already flies to 17 destinations from Hopkins, the most of any carrier, and added direct flights to San Diego, San Francisco and San Juan, Puerto Rico in 2023.

Add Axios on Google

Frontier Airlines to establish crew base in Cleveland

More Cleveland stories