Frontier Airlines will be discontinuing commercial service to and from Provo at the beginning of 2013 due to a reduction in its fleet. While it is hoping the service shutdown will be temporary, bankruptcy reorganization and other issues with the airline may prevent a return of commercial flights to the area.

According to Provo Mayor John Curtis, Frontier told him Provo’s success was not at issue and in fact had beat expectations and brought in flight revenues of nearly $1 million when counting the purchase of second leg trips out of Denver.

“We’ve been told we’ve met everything they’ve asked us to do and more. At every turn we’ve exceeded Frontier’s expectations,” Curtis said.

Curtis added that even Frontier executives had never seen the reception and speed of growth like in Provo. “We’ve averaged 75 percent full or more every day from the first day even in the low winter months,” Curtis said. “We were told 65 percent was the critical line to surpass in the first year.”

Recently the Denver office of the Federal Aviation Administration recognized Provo City and the Provo Airport for leadership and teamwork in preparing the airport for Frontier Airlines bringing commercial flights to the area. Now in less than two years it’s back to square one.

When the mayor first heard the news he said it was a shock to his system.

“There has been a lot of emotional investment put in to this by the community. It stings a little. We’ve proven to the world we can support commercial flights.”

Curtis reflected on the water cannon landing ceremony and the 500-plus residents who came to support the first Frontier flight into the Provo Airport and the first flight filled with excited dignitaries.

“My first reaction was disappointment,” said airport manager Steve Gleason. “I had just had meetings last week on expanding the terminal. We were gearing up for the larger aircraft coming in January as were all of Frontier’s people. This was a last-minute thing they had to do. Frontier notified their Salt Lake City employees late Thursday afternoon in the change of plans.”

The mayor noted that Frontier had made comments to him about leaving earlier on, but always said, “nope we’re staying.” He was hoping this announcement would be the same.

Rep. Jason Chaffetz, R-Utah, has flown out of Provo and his first reaction was one word, “Bummer!”

Chaffetz added, “Chalk it up to a good solid test and we passed. Someone will come in. The demand is there, the supply will follow.”

Curtis noted that Provo has had great momentum with economic development and growth. Announcements like this bring the city back to real life and a need to push a little harder.

“Provo has been on a fabulous run,” he said. “Now we have to put our feet down and face reality.”

Part of that reality is that Gleason and Curtis have been negotiating for several months with a minimum of six other airlines to bring commercial flights to Provo. Both men believe they are within months of obtaining another airline. The flight route may not go east to Denver. There has been talk of flights to Phoenix or along the West Coast from San Diego to Seattle.

Gleason also noted that the infrastructure is all in place for another carrier to take up the space. “I think this shows commercial service is needed and wanted by this community.”

“This gives us a new sense of urgency,” Curtis said. “It’s a whole new game which lets airlines come in that wouldn’t with Frontier here. We need to get back to work. I believe it’s a momentary glitch and we just need to be patient.”

But that doesn’t make the announcement any easier to swallow, said city spokeswoman Helen Anderson.

“It’s a blow to morale, but certainly not a reflection of our potential.”

Reaction from community leaders is one of stunned silence. “I think it’s disappointing it didn’t work out,” said Val Hale, president of the Utah Valley Chamber of Commerce. “Hopefully another airline will sit up and take notice. I’ve received positive feedback from people who used the flight. It’s so convenient.”

Hale said if his wife had a choice in flights, Provo would be offering one to Phoenix where they have children living.

Provo Municipal Council Chairwoman Laura Cabanilla said she has used the Frontier flights on a number of occasions.

“I was sad to hear that news. I loved that service. It’s so convenient to go right out to the airport. I loved it. I hope they can find someone else, or Frontier can work it out.”

Cabanilla said she would like to have flights from Provo to California. She is not alone. According to Gleason and Curtis, in unscientific surveys Southern California routes seem to be the favorite choice of people in the area.

As recent as a month ago, Frontier had told the city it would be flying its Airbus jet into Provo starting next year. An Airbus holds approximately 130 passengers compared to the Embraer-190s which held 99 passengers. “They even sent people here to expand the terminal and for the first time started doing their own marketing and put up billboards,” Curtis said.

However, Frontier has been selling off a large portion of its fleet.

“They sold their Embraer-190s and Q-400s earlier this year, and recently announced they would start sending Airbuses to Provo, but a further reduction in their fleet changed their plans,” Anderson said.

She added that Frontier has sold too many planes, causing route issues. It updated its schedule on Sept. 9 and no flights are offered after Jan. 7.

“They said they hope to come back in the future, and say this is just a temporary setback,” Anderson said.