Frontier to begin bi-weekly Trenton-to-Nassau flights

Frontier Airlines will start flying to Nassau, Bahamas, from Trenton-Mercer Airport in November.

The new route, the 19th nonstop and first international destination for Frontier from Trenton was announced Monday by Mercer County executive Brian Hughes.

Flights begin Nov. 20 at an introductory fare as low as $79 each way, for travel through March 1, 2015, if booked on FlyFrontier.com through Saturday.

Tickets are scheduled to go on sale at 10 a.m. Tuesday on the airline website.

The flights will be twice a week, Thursday and Sunday, on a 138-seat Airbus A319 aircraft.

The $79 one-way fare will not be available from Nov. 21 to Dec. 1 and Dec. 18 to Jan. 4, 2015, the airline said. The flights will operate but fares will be higher during the holidays.

"These introductory fares attest to our ongoing commitment to make air travel more affordable and accessible," said Frontier senior vice president Daniel Shurz. "We are confident customers will love these amazing low fares and the ability to optimize their travel experience for the comfort and value they seek."

Hughes said the "region continues to perform for Frontier, and the addition of service to the Bahamas further raises Trenton-Mercer Airport's profile as a great small airport that frees travelers from the headaches often seen at surrounding metropolitan airports."

The general aviation airport is located off Exit 2 on I-95. Parking costs $8 a day and the lots are within walking distance of the terminal.

Since being acquired by Indigo Partners of Phoenix in November, Frontier, based in Denver, has been transforming itself into an ultra-low-cost carrier.

The economy fares are generally lower than traditional airlines. Frontier charges extra for carry-on bags, advance seat assignments, and soft drinks.

Carry-ons that do not fit under the seat in front of you cost $25 if purchased when the ticket is booked; $30 if bought during online check-in; and $50 at the airport departure gate.

Advance seat assignments cost $3 to $8 per seat in economy class, depending on trip distance and type of seat. Travelers who wait until check-in will be assigned a seat free.

"I'll give you an example of how customers can save money," Shurz said in a recent interview.

"If two people traveling together use a bigger bag, within our 50-pound weight limit, they can check one bag for $20 and they don't have to worry about paying for carry-ons," he said. "That's $10 a person relative to the base fare."

"Our fares are tens, and in some cases, hundreds of dollars lower," Shurz said. "The total travel deal we offer is a good value. You buy a really low fare, you add the options you want, and that's the Frontier product."

Passengers departing the Bahamas clear U.S. Customs at a preclearance facility in the Nassau airport.

Frontier's business model is to fly mainly to leisure destinations.

"Low fares allow a greater section of the population to travel, and allow people to travel more frequently," Shurz said. "We are finding interesting opportunities in different places."

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