The $10 million capital investment will create 45 new high-wage jobs compensated 50 percent above the average wage for the City of Orlando…
ORLANDO. Dec. 19, 2019 – Today, low-fare carrier Frontier Airlines opened its new 11,000-square-foot flight attendant recurrent training center in Orlando. The company also announced recent approval by the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority of its plans to build a 35,000-square-foot hangar at Orlando International Airport (MCO). The $10 million maintenance hangar will include indoor parking for Frontier’s largest aircraft, the Airbus A321, and an outdoor auxiliary pad for two additional Airbus A320 family aircraft.
“Today marks a major milestone in Frontier Airlines’ commitment to Orlando,” said Barry Biffle, president and CEO of Frontier Airlines. “We continue to make significant investments in our Orlando operations and the opening of our new flight attendant training facility, along with the announcement of our planned hangar, underscore our commitment to this community.”
Trevor Stedke, senior vice president of operations for Frontier Airlines added, “The new hangar will be a tremendously beneficial operations resource for our maintenance team members and will create new job opportunities for area residents.”
Construction on the new hangar is planned to begin in 2020 and will take a year and a half to complete. Frontier plans to utilize the new facility for daily maintenance operations and more extensive work, including engine and landing gear changes.
Frontier expects the facility to create more than 45 new jobs in Orlando with an average salary of $75,000 to support its operations, doubling its current maintenance workforce at the airport.
“The new training center opening today in Orlando will host approximately 1,000 flight attendants for recurrent training in 2020,” said Stephen Howell, senior director of in-flight for Frontier Airlines.
“Orlando is a world-class city and we are extremely excited to officially open this new facility and further grow our partnership with both the community and airport.”
Stephen Howell, Senior Director of in-flight for Frontier Airlines
The center will provide training for both flight attendants and customer service team members. The facility features three interactive classrooms, emergency/medical workshop areas and a specially equipped area for conducting emergency evacuation drills and procedures. The center will be staffed with full-time instructors and training support team members.
New jobs generated through both facilities are in addition to the nearly 1,100 Frontier and business partner employees who are already based in Orlando, including more than 600 flight attendants and 250 pilots.
“Frontier’s plan to extend their presence at Orlando International Airport with new facilities, in addition to their strong flight operations, is welcomed as an opportunity for jobs as well as increased service and efficiency for their fleet,” said Phil Brown, Chief Executive Officer of the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority. “This addition can certainly benefit the Central Florida region.”
Frontier offers 57 nonstop options from MCO, the most of any airline at the airport. The airline will operate its largest-ever schedule from Orlando this winter with a 25 percent increase in flights and seats year over year.
“The list of industry leaders who have chosen Orlando has grown enormously because they have discovered what we all know – this is an incredible place for a business to thrive and prosper,” said Casey Barnes, Orlando Economic Partnership vice president of business development.
“Look around America and you’ll be hard-pressed to find a community with the types of investments Orlando has made into its growth and its infrastructure. Coupled with our talent and workforce, we have a winning recipe for a prosperous future.”
Casey Barnes, Orlando Economic Partnership Vice President, Business Development
Frontier operates over 90 A320 family aircraft and has the largest A320neo fleet in the U.S., delivering the highest level of noise reduction and fuel-efficiency, compared to previous models. The use of these aircraft, Frontier’s seating configuration, weight-saving tactics and baggage process have all contributed to the airline’s average of 39 percent fuel savings compared to other U.S. airlines (fuel savings is based on Frontier Airlines 2018 fuel consumption per seat-mile compared to the weighted average of major U.S. airlines). More information about Frontier’s green commitments is available at FlyGreener.com.
With over 150 new Airbus planes on order, Frontier will continue to grow to deliver on the mission of providing affordable travel across America. Frontier’s young fleet also ensures that the company keeps fares low and that customers will enjoy a pleasant and reliable experience flying with the airline.
About Frontier Airlines
Frontier Airlines is committed to delivering ‘Low Fares Done Right’ to over 100 cities in the United States, Canada, Central America, Dominican Republic and Mexico on 400 daily flights. Headquartered in Denver, Frontier Airlines is the proud recipient of the Federal Aviation Administration’s 2018 Diamond Award for maintenance excellence and was named the industry’s most fuel-efficient airline by The International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT) as a result of superior technology and operational efficiencies.
