With Frontier giving COS the largest passenger boost they have had in years and announcing new service almost monthly (seemingly), and the Colorado Springs Gazette now declaring the airport to be out of Denver's shadow and it's own air service market what's next for this airport? Could we see ULCC's start to leave Denver and move south? Any indications a new carrier is going to start service? Expanded service from existing carriers?

I have to wonder if this 2nd attempt at a COS focus city will be any different than the last...and that was back when they had a much more loyal following. Every route either already operating or upcoming overlaps with one of their DEN routes, which is also expanding rapidly.

Who has ever had COS a focus city?

Western Pacific had a connecting hub there, but I don't ever recall COS being a focus city.

What's keeping WN from having a presence in COS?

I am hoping AS will return to COS sooner rather than later.

TWA772LR wrote:

What's keeping WN from having a presence in COS?

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't a good portion of WN traffic through DEN connecting rather than o&d, to a greater extent than most of their 'focus cities'? In Seattle, they could move some operations to PAE because Seattle is the final destination for more passengers (geography obviously pays a big role in that). They may want to keep their operations in the greater Denver area streamlined to keep connections smooth. If they were to start in COS, it would be barebone service, maybe to MDW, DAL, LAX, SFO.

Well Frontier just dropped SJC before it even started, so that's not a good sign. However, there are a bunch more routes that they are starting with their large April expansion.

BWIAirport wrote:

TWA772LR wrote:

What's keeping WN from having a presence in COS?

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't a good portion of WN traffic through DEN connecting rather than o&d, to a greater extent than most of their 'focus cities'? In Seattle, they could move some operations to PAE because Seattle is the final destination for more passengers (geography obviously pays a big role in that). They may want to keep their operations in the greater Denver area streamlined to keep connections smooth. If they were to start in COS, it would be barebone service, maybe to MDW, DAL, LAX, SFO.

I agree with MDW and DAL...but not so much with LAX and SFO. I think if WN started COS, they would go to LAS and maybe OAK, where connections are optimal.

As far as PAE, it won't happen...at least not in the near-future. WN at PAE will most likely be OAK, LAS, SAN and DEN...maybe PHX. But 5 to 6 flights daily is pretty small for WN.

wedgetail737 wrote:

BWIAirport wrote:

TWA772LR wrote:

What's keeping WN from having a presence in COS?

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't a good portion of WN traffic through DEN connecting rather than o&d, to a greater extent than most of their 'focus cities'? In Seattle, they could move some operations to PAE because Seattle is the final destination for more passengers (geography obviously pays a big role in that). They may want to keep their operations in the greater Denver area streamlined to keep connections smooth. If they were to start in COS, it would be barebone service, maybe to MDW, DAL, LAX, SFO.

I agree with MDW and DAL...but not so much with LAX and SFO. I think if WN started COS, they would go to LAS and maybe OAK, where connections are optimal.

As far as PAE, it won't happen...at least not in the near-future. WN at PAE will most likely be OAK, LAS, SAN and DEN...maybe PHX. But 5 to 6 flights daily is pretty small for WN.

I'd kill for a WN flight from COS to MCI.

wedgetail737 wrote:

BWIAirport wrote:

TWA772LR wrote:

What's keeping WN from having a presence in COS?

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't a good portion of WN traffic through DEN connecting rather than o&d, to a greater extent than most of their 'focus cities'? In Seattle, they could move some operations to PAE because Seattle is the final destination for more passengers (geography obviously pays a big role in that). They may want to keep their operations in the greater Denver area streamlined to keep connections smooth. If they were to start in COS, it would be barebone service, maybe to MDW, DAL, LAX, SFO.

I agree with MDW and DAL...but not so much with LAX and SFO. I think if WN started COS, they would go to LAS and maybe OAK, where connections are optimal.

As far as PAE, it won't happen...at least not in the near-future. WN at PAE will most likely be OAK, LAS, SAN and DEN...maybe PHX. But 5 to 6 flights daily is pretty small for WN.

Right, no way a COS-PAE flight is in anyone's plans. I was more comparing a DEN -> COS movement to the SEA -> PAE movement UA, AS, and WN are doing.

Possible resumption of AA to PHX?

Spacepope wrote:

wedgetail737 wrote:

BWIAirport wrote:

I'd kill for a WN flight from COS to MCI.

America West flew COS-MCI back in the 80s. COS was one of HP's initial markets service at its launch in 1983.

jmc1975 wrote:

Possible resumption of AA to PHX?

Spacepope wrote:

wedgetail737 wrote:

America West flew COS-MCI back in the 80s. COS was one of HP's initial markets service at its launch in 1983.

That's great and all, but it still doesn't help me out much nowadays. By the time I drive to DEN or connect through DFW I don't really save much time over driving. COS needs better connectivity, maybe starting with DL bringing back the flight to MSP.

afcjets wrote:

Who has ever had COS a focus city?

Western Pacific had a connecting hub there, but I don't ever recall COS being a focus city.

F9 started to build up COS similiar to what they are doing now but then completely pulled out the following year. I think they were planning on it being a focus city but never made it

It’s a long shot and there are other things higher on the list. But what about a B6 focus city in COS? Connect to all their other focous cities and top destinations from COS and go from there?

ericm2031 wrote:

afcjets wrote:

Who has ever had COS a focus city?

Western Pacific had a connecting hub there, but I don't ever recall COS being a focus city.

F9 started to build up COS similiar to what they are doing now but then completely pulled out the following year. I think they were planning on it being a focus city but never made it

Thanks, it's hard to keep up with F9.

afcjets wrote:

... it's hard to keep up with F9.

Agreed! I have no idea if F9 is flying/will be flying COS-SAN in 2018. I think there is a market IF the service is consistent.

Personally, I would love to see AAG put one of there EMJs on the COS-SAN market regularly -- that would be easier to count on than come-and-go service from Frontier.

bb

afcjets wrote:

Who has ever had COS a focus city?

Western Pacific had a connecting hub there, but I don't ever recall COS being a focus city.

I am going to guess the poster meant Western Pacific. 30-50 flights a day at peak does not make a city a hub. A connecting focus city yes, but hub was stretching it then as it would now.

ericm2031 wrote:

F9 started to build up COS similiar to what they are doing now but then completely pulled out the following year. I think they were planning on it being a focus city but never made it

Then, Frontier was not yet full ULCC and the good folk at COS would not pay one thin dime more for service from COS rather than DEN. No one could see the point of serving COS if they weren't going to use it and COS folk were well used to driving to DEN. So Frontier pulled out.

And regrouped, and came back as a full-on ULCC - COS folk wanted cheap? Frontier gave 'em cheap.

mariner

I’d like to see WN go into COS. Definitely not large-scale like their operations just up the highway at DEN however.
They would probably start off with LAS, PHX, MDW, and maybe DAL and/or OAK.

AAvgeek744 wrote:

afcjets wrote:

Who has ever had COS a focus city?

Western Pacific had a connecting hub there, but I don't ever recall COS being a focus city.

I am going to guess the poster meant Western Pacific. 30-50 flights a day at peak does not make a city a hub. A connecting focus city yes, but hub was stretching it then as it would now.

Of course it was a hub, in fact IIRC 100% of their operation there was specifically timed connection banks. Hubs have existed long before someone came up with the term focus city. A focus city is where an airline offers flights to a handful of nonstop destinations in addition to their hubs and with little to no opportunity for connecting traffic.

AA adding flights to PHX, then possibly LAX and a daily CLT would help the area’s connectivity immensely.
DL to MSP and/or LAX/SEA and UA to SFO as well

COS was underserved for a while. Now it almost seems like frontier is getting too large, not all routes will work. I don't think they expect all to work, some are tests. I do wish them luck! Good to see COS back in use even in DIAs shadow.

COS-PDX on F9.

I like flying out of COS personally. Fast, easy and security is quick. We are starting to slowly get our lost service. We had service to MSP and CLT non-stop at one point and lost it. Would love to see some of the bigger cities come back on RJ's if necessary. (I miss the S80 though!)

What is the largest o&d city not served from COS? I am going to guess it's NYC/ BOS or PDX?

PDX seems easy , NYC/Boston take a lot of airplane time.

I know Hawaii sounds crazy but those travellers tend to go for a while, I think they could easily pull in people from the denver area since parking is so much easier and its cheap for parking you can walk to the plane convenient. Alot of Honeymooners non frequent travellers to Hawaii etc, I could see hawaiian to HNL working as crazy as it sounds.

You can get most places with a connection, even when I fly all over the US the plane time isn't much more than going to DEN for something. COS is cheaper, easier and more convenient to get to in the end.

KLMatSJC wrote:

Well Frontier just dropped SJC before it even started, so that's not a good sign. However, there are a bunch more routes that they are starting with their large April expansion.

Where did you see this?

AirFiero wrote:

KLMatSJC wrote:

Well Frontier just dropped SJC before it even started, so that's not a good sign. However, there are a bunch more routes that they are starting with their large April expansion.

Where did you see this?

Just the COS flight. There was no press release or anything, but it is not on the schedule anymore.

KLMatSJC wrote:

AirFiero wrote:

KLMatSJC wrote:

Well Frontier just dropped SJC before it even started, so that's not a good sign. However, there are a bunch more routes that they are starting with their large April expansion.

Where did you see this?

Just the COS flight. There was no press release or anything, but it is not on the schedule anymore.

Wow. FL is volatile.

slcdeltarumd11 wrote:

What is the largest o&d city not served from COS? I am going to guess it's NYC/ BOS or PDX?

PDX seems easy , NYC/Boston take a lot of airplane time.

I know Hawaii sounds crazy but those travellers tend to go for a while, I think they could easily pull in people from the denver area since parking is so much easier and its cheap for parking you can walk to the plane convenient. Alot of Honeymooners non frequent travellers to Hawaii etc, I could see hawaiian to HNL working as crazy as it sounds.

Here are the top 50 O&D markets from COS in Q3 2017 by USDOT DB1B. Bolded here are some of the top markets without nonstop service. I kind of doubt HA will come for 15 PDEW, even though the actual market, including leakage to DEN is probably larger. MSP on DL, EWR/LGA/~NYC on F9 and UA to SFO seem like good targets. I wish DL would resume their second daily flight to ATL and increase SLC to 3x daily, but they're probably more interested in DEN.
Destination PDEW Fare

ORD … 184 … $173.43
LAS … 155 … $91.64
DFW … 139 … $218.30
LAX … 130 … $173.10
PHX … 113 … $107.02
MCO … 113 … $155.10
IAD … 111 … $202.36
SAN … 96 … $117.39
SFO … 61 … $160.43
SEA … 51 … $220.27
SAT … 44 … $191.26
ATL … 38 … $246.77
DCA … 34 … $265.19
IAH … 34 … $330.06
AUS … 31 … $190.79
AZA … 27 … $56.12
BOS … 27 … $304.59
SLC … 27 … $217.95
TPA … 25 … $219.80
LGA … 22 … $228.35
BWI … 21 … $273.88
RDU … 20 … $237.95
CLT … 20 … $229.83
PHL … 19 … $275.70
BNA … 19 … $231.14
FLL … 18 … $211.89
MIA … 18 … $211.59
EWR … 18 … $292.58
MSP … 17 … $196.57
HSV … 16 … $308.94
SMF … 16 … $248.52
STL … 16 … $201.62
PDX … 15 … $246.46
HNL … 15 … $483.77
DTW … 15 … $219.47
SNA … 14 … $249.59
MSY … 14 … $208.86
JAX … 12 … $237.89
PIT … 12 … $233.18
ANC … 12 … $357.69
BDL … 12 … $250.54
IND … 12 … $213.25
ORF … 11 … $349.18
OKC … 11 … $207.87
RSW … 11 … $246.47
MCI … 11 … $217.63
VPS … 10 … $250.88
DAY … 10 … $231.48
CLE … 10 … $208.42
MEM … 10 … $251.11
SJC … 10 … $278.07

Just got word yesterday that I'll be moving to COS at the end of April. I've already been out there twice to visit and really enjoy the convenience of the airport. Was just curious if there were any rumblings of new service outside of the already announced F9 flights? Will G4 try and add more markets and make it leisure summer time destination or will they just stick with LAS and let F9 handle the local traffic? Also, what are the chance of AA adding a PHX flight to compliment there existing ORD and DFW flights? I'm a loyal AA guy but it looks like I might have to jump on the UA wagon for more options out of COS.

OKCDCA wrote:

Just got word yesterday that I'll be moving to COS at the end of April. I've already been out there twice to visit and really enjoy the convenience of the airport. Was just curious if there were any rumblings of new service outside of the already announced F9 flights? Will G4 try and add more markets and make it leisure summer time destination or will they just stick with LAS and let F9 handle the local traffic? Also, what are the chance of AA adding a PHX flight to compliment there existing ORD and DFW flights? I'm a loyal AA guy but it looks like I might have to jump on the UA wagon for more options out of COS.

Honestly, DEN is the answer. I have a few friends who work at Peterson AFB and they fly out of COS less than half the time. While you might get a few additional flights, it's never going to be much more than a secondary airport, outside of the focus city F9 has made there. The Denver metro is just too close and too big for the majors to add much more than a handful of routes to COS. If you're looking for PHX, F9 already flies there from COS.

caverunner17 wrote:

OKCDCA wrote:

Just got word yesterday that I'll be moving to COS at the end of April. I've already been out there twice to visit and really enjoy the convenience of the airport. Was just curious if there were any rumblings of new service outside of the already announced F9 flights? Will G4 try and add more markets and make it leisure summer time destination or will they just stick with LAS and let F9 handle the local traffic? Also, what are the chance of AA adding a PHX flight to compliment there existing ORD and DFW flights? I'm a loyal AA guy but it looks like I might have to jump on the UA wagon for more options out of COS.

Honestly, DEN is the answer. I have a few friends who work at Peterson AFB and they fly out of COS less than half the time. While you might get a few additional flights, it's never going to be much more than a secondary airport, outside of the focus city F9 has made there. The Denver metro is just too close and too big for the majors to add much more than a handful of routes to COS. If you're looking for PHX, F9 already flies there from COS.

Thanks for the info. In terms of PHX, I was just thinking more along the lines of connections to other destinations. I go to San Diego quite a bit and would like to have another option besides F9's less than daily service and UA through LAX or DEN.

EWR/LGA/~NYC on F9 and UA to SFO seem like good targets. I wish DL would resume their second daily flight to ATL and increase SLC to 3x daily, but they're probably more interested in DEN.

Can't fly COS-LGA. It's outside the perimeter. DEN is the exception to the rule.

OKCDCA wrote:

caverunner17 wrote:

OKCDCA wrote:

Just got word yesterday that I'll be moving to COS at the end of April. I've already been out there twice to visit and really enjoy the convenience of the airport. Was just curious if there were any rumblings of new service outside of the already announced F9 flights? Will G4 try and add more markets and make it leisure summer time destination or will they just stick with LAS and let F9 handle the local traffic? Also, what are the chance of AA adding a PHX flight to compliment there existing ORD and DFW flights? I'm a loyal AA guy but it looks like I might have to jump on the UA wagon for more options out of COS.

Honestly, DEN is the answer. I have a few friends who work at Peterson AFB and they fly out of COS less than half the time. While you might get a few additional flights, it's never going to be much more than a secondary airport, outside of the focus city F9 has made there. The Denver metro is just too close and too big for the majors to add much more than a handful of routes to COS. If you're looking for PHX, F9 already flies there from COS.

Thanks for the info. In terms of PHX, I was just thinking more along the lines of connections to other destinations. I go to San Diego quite a bit and would like to have another option besides F9's less than daily service and UA through LAX or DEN.

DL has an 8:30AM and a 5:30PM flight to SLC from COS for connections.

COS-PHX on AA is a big hole while I believe COS-MSP on DL is a good opportunity for DL to resume service on.

COS-PHX on AA is a big hole while I believe COS-MSP on DL is a good opportunity for DL to resume service on.

SumChristianus wrote:

COS-PHX on AA is a big hole while I believe COS-MSP on DL is a good opportunity for DL to resume service on.

If places like LBB and AMA can support daily PHX service, I'd imagine COS could as well. Heck I'd even be willing to trade the ORD flights for PHX since you can practically get everywhere from DFW that you can from ORD and PHX would give you an option going west.

I wonder if DL will see how F9 does on MSP-COS this summer as a gauge for whether they get back in that market?

A new roof and better sprinklers!

OKCDCA wrote:

SumChristianus wrote:

COS-PHX on AA is a big hole while I believe COS-MSP on DL is a good opportunity for DL to resume service on.

If places like LBB and AMA can support daily PHX service, I'd imagine COS could as well. Heck I'd even be willing to trade the ORD flights for PHX since you can practically get everywhere from DFW that you can from ORD and PHX would give you an option going west.

I wonder if DL will see how F9 does on MSP-COS this summer as a gauge for whether they get back in that market?

How dl has changed.... back in the day they would have added 4 x msp-cos on a 757 if anyone would have added a msp route. I remember frontier added lax-msp and nw responsed with $98 round trips...

If you didn’t see in the flights postings in another thread, looks like reductions in cos- lax San and Mco this fall

geg2rap wrote:

OKCDCA wrote:

SumChristianus wrote:

COS-PHX on AA is a big hole while I believe COS-MSP on DL is a good opportunity for DL to resume service on.

If places like LBB and AMA can support daily PHX service, I'd imagine COS could as well. Heck I'd even be willing to trade the ORD flights for PHX since you can practically get everywhere from DFW that you can from ORD and PHX would give you an option going west.

I wonder if DL will see how F9 does on MSP-COS this summer as a gauge for whether they get back in that market?

How dl has changed.... back in the day they would have added 4 x msp-cos on a 757 if anyone would have added a msp route. I remember frontier added lax-msp and nw responsed with $98 round trips...

I remember that- the little I’ll conceived LA focus city by F9. What did they serve besides MSP and DEN? Was it MKE, and MCI? I remember it was 3 or so midwestern cities that had a pretty swift and firm response from NW, even announcing DEN-LAX flights. Wasn’t there also LAX-SFO flights on F9for a short time after the Midwest cities ? I don’t think those flights even lasted 6 months.

Nice article in the Colorado Springs Gazette regarding traffic numbers at COS being up 25% for the first half of 2018 from 2017. I wasn't here in 2017 so I'm assuming this mainly due to the increase in F9's service for the summer... Good to see AA's numbers up as well, if I did my math right, they filled around 83% of available seats for June.

https://gazette.com/business/colorado-s ... f946b.html