Struggling Carrier Joins Other Airlines In Desperate Money-Grab

Three days ahead of the BTS announcement that Frontier Airlines joined other industry sad-sacks US Airways and American in posting the worst operational losses in Q2 2008, the Denver-based low-cost carrier announced it will begin charging a $15 fee for a first checked bag, as the carrier struggles to continue operations  under bankruptcy protection.

The new fee is effective for travel on or after November 1, 2008, for tickets purchased on or after September 13, 2008 and applies to travel commencing on or after November 1, 2008. Frontier introduced a $25 fee for a second checked bag fee in June.

Frontier has operated under Chapter 11 bankruptcy since April 10. As ANN reported in July, the carrier was able to secure a $75 million commitment in post-petition debtor-in-possession (DIP) financing from Perseus LLC, to sustain operations in the short term... but not before the carrier announced plans to slash capacity by 17 percent, with a proportional cutback in its employment ranks.

Frontier's EarlyReturns Summit and Ascent members, as well as active-duty military personnel and AirTran Airways A+ Rewards Elite members traveling on Frontier Airlines, will not be charged for a first or second checked bag.

FMI: www.frontierairlines.com/