When I flew to Denver on Oct. 26, fares as cheap as $40 one way were available when I booked. I was on the last Frontier flight from Denver to Durango on Oct. 28, and it was completely full. It left two minutes early, and arrived 10 minutes early, typical of Frontier (not to be confused with Republic Airlines).

Frontier claims it will be back with four-day-per-week service in May, but this is highly doubtful. The airline is in the process of being bought by a private equity group, which intends to turn Frontier into an ultra-low-cost carrier. The new owners already have stated that they will be reducing their flights out of Denver, so I don’t think Durango will see them again anytime soon.

Meanwhile, United Airlines has raised its prices to take advantage of the demise of Frontier. I looked at a round-trip ticket for a one-week trip in November. Fares ranged from $321 to $451, with $392 and $417 being the most common. So if you are going to Denver, be prepared to pay much more to fly or drive.

Clark Lagow

Durango