Ultra-low-fare carrier Frontier Airlines will open a new crew base at Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport in San Juan, Puerto Rico (SJU) in June of 2024. The base is expected to employ up to 90 pilots and 200 flight attendants during its first year of operation. Combined with airport and maintenance positions, the airline is expected to generate nearly US$84 million (£66 million) annually in local wages with further growth anticipated in the coming years.
Frontier is the fastest growing airline in Puerto Rico, offering flights to the island’s three main airports, and has more than doubled its seat capacity serving the island since 2019. The airline has also greatly expanded its roster of nonstop destinations from Puerto Rico. Frontier currently offers 14 nonstop routes from San Juan (SJU) along with a nonstop service to Orlando (MCO) from Ponce (PSE) and Aguadilla (BQN). Connecting flights are also available to/from Puerto Rico to many additional destinations across the United States.
“Our base will provide significant economic impact and new jobs for Puerto Ricans. A crew base also helps support smooth flight operations — benefiting customers flying to and from the island who will have access to a wide variety of destinations, including a number of under-served markets, as we continue to grow our Puerto Rico operations,” said Barry Biffle, CEO Frontier Airlines.
“Tourism in Puerto Rico has had three years of sustained growth and we continue to invest in the promotion of our Island as a destination. The Frontier Airlines announcement to open a crew base at the Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport is another positive milestone for the development of our tourism industry. Frontier is betting on Puerto Rico by contributing to the creation of jobs and the injection of additional funds into our economy. This initiative reflects the potential that Puerto Rico has for the establishment and development of the aviation sector,” commented Governor Pedro Pierluisi.
