Lynx Aviation (United States)

Infobox_Airline
airline=Lynx Aviation
logo=LynxAviation.png‎logo_size=150px
fleet_size=10
destinations=15
IATA=L4
ICAO=SSX
callsign=SHASTA
parent=Frontier Airlines Holdings, Inc.
founded=2006
headquarters=Denver, Colorado
key_people=Tom Nunn [cite news|last=Yamanouchi|first=Kelly|title=A conversation with Tom Nunn of Lynx Aviation|work=Denver Post|date=2006-10-31|accessdate=2006-11-01|url=http://www.denverpost.com/travel/ci_4565708] (President)
hubs=

*Denver International Airport

focus_cities=
frequent_flyer=EarlyReturns
lounge=
alliance=
website=http://www.frontierairlines.com

Lynx Aviation, Inc. is a regional airline based in Denver, Colorado, USA. The airline is a subsidiary of Frontier Airlines Holdings and operates feeder service for Frontier Airlines. The Lynx name plays off of the tail pictures of its planes, specifically Larry the Lynx, and the fact that it "links" smaller airports to the main Denver hub of Frontier Airlines.cite news|last=Yamanouchi|first=Kelly|title=Frontier thinking small to go bigger|work=Denver Post|date=2006-09-06| accessdate=2006-09-07| url=http://www.denverpost.com/business/ci_4297315] All flights operated by Lynx Aviation are sold and marketed as "Frontier Airlines operated by Lynx Aviation."

History

Lynx Aviation was formed by Frontier Airlines Holdings on September 6, 2006. Lynx was formed to help reduce costs; Frontier hopes to cut costs on routes 650 miles or shorter by 30%, allowing entry into new markets.The plan was originally to begin service in May 2007.cite news|last=Yamanouchi|first=Kelly|title=Frontier thinking small to go bigger|work=Denver Post|date=2006-09-06| accessdate=2006-09-07| url=http://www.denverpost.com/business/ci_4297315]

The carrier received a waiver from the Department of Transportation to begin selling seats prior to receipt of their Airline Operating Certificate from the Federal Aviation Administration. Plans were delayed when Frontier announced on September 4, 2007 that FAA certification would not be met in time for the initial launch date of Lynx Aviation service. In the interim, these routes were flown with existing aircraft flown by Republic Airlines and Horizon Air, and beginning in November 2007 aircraft flown by ExpressJet Airlines. [cite news| url= http://www.usatoday.com/travel/flights/2007-09-05-frontier-lynx-delay_N.htm|title= Frontier Lynx delay | work= USA Today] [cite news| url=http://www.denverpost.com/business/ci_6985208 |title= ExpressJet to begin flying for Frontier while Lynx is resolved |work=Denver Post] On December 5, 2007, Lynx Aviation received its Airline Operating Certificate from the FAA. Lynx began passenger operations the following morning, December 7, 2007.

On April 11, 2008, Frontier Airlines Holdings announced that it and all of its subsidiaries had filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection due to its credit card processor withholding payment from ticket sales. [cite press release |title=Frontier Airlines Files for Chapter 11 Reorganization; Normal Operations Continuing and Unaffected |publisher= |date=2008-04-11 |url= http://www.frontierairlines.com/frontier/who-we-are/news-media/press-releases.do |format= |language= |accessdate=2008-04-11 |quote= ]

On April 23, 2008, Frontier terminated their service agreement with Republic Airlines. This leaves Lynx as the only regional providing feeder service for Frontier. [http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=131107&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=1133796&highlight=]

Bombardier Q400

*N501LX-Baby Lynx "Luke"
*N502LX-Wolf Pup "Wolfgang"
*N503LX-Mountain Lion "Aspen"
*N504LX-Moose "Mickey"
*N505LX-Baby Red Fox "Ginger"
*N506LX-Baby Raccoon "Bandit"
*N507LX-Harp Seal "Seymour"
*N508LX-Toucan "Tango"
*N509LX-Moose "Floyd"
*N510LX-Bobcat "Leonard"

Destinations

Lynx Aviation currently flies to 14 destinations for Frontier Airlines. Upcoming schedule changes will increase the Lynx's destination count to 15 when the airline begins seasonal service to Hayden/Steamboat Springs, Colorado on December 18, 2008.

As of September 2008, Lynx Aviation offers the following scheduled service: [ [http://www.frontierairlines.com/frontier/images/pages/flight-info/route_map_large.jpgFrontier Airlines Route Map] ]

United States

Colorado

*Aspen (Aspen-Pitkin County Airport)
*Colorado Springs (Colorado Springs Airport)
*Denver (Denver International Airport) Hub
*Durango (Durango-La Plata County Airport)
*Grand Junction (Grand Junction Regional Airport)
*Hayden/Steamboat Springs (Yampa Valley Airport)* "Seasonal; service begins December 18, 2008"

Idaho

*Boise (Boise Airport)

Kansas

*Wichita (Wichita Mid-Continent Airport)

Montana

*Billings (Billings Logan International Airport)
*Bozeman (Gallatin Field Airport)

North Dakota

*Fargo (Hector International Airport)

Oklahoma

*Oklahoma City (Will Rogers World Airport)

South Dakota

*Rapid City (Rapid City Regional Airport)

Texas

*El Paso (El Paso International Airport)

Wyoming

*Jackson Hole (Jackson Hole Airport) "Seasonal"

Fleet

The first Q400 was delivered on July 20, 2007, and featured a baby lynx named on the tail. The remaining nine aircraft were delivered by year's end. The 10 options on the aircraft have been exercised and are scheduled to be delivered between March 2009 and January 2010. [ cite web |url= http://www.vcall.com/IC/CEPage.asp?ID=108827 |title= conference call among Frontier management and investors ]

References