In welcome news for Western Pennsylvanians, Frontier Airlines has announced the addition of new flight services from Pittsburgh International Airport to four U.S. cities, including twice daily flights to Philadelphia, starting in May 2024. Allegheny County residents have long voiced their desire for more affordable flight options to Philadelphia, particularly due to rising toll charges on the turnpike and limited airline availability.

Expressing his excitement, Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald stated, "This is going to get a lot of people out of their cars. It's an early Christmas present for the folks in Southwestern Pennsylvania."

At present, American Airlines is the sole provider of flights between Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, with one-way ticket prices averaging around $290. The airline operates three to four flights per day on this route. Meanwhile, toll charges on the Pennsylvania Turnpike between the two cities amount to approximately $35 with EZ Pass and over $70 without EZ Pass.

Frontier Airlines, known for its low-cost fares, plans to offer introductory rates for as low as $19 for one-way flights to Philadelphia International Airport. Josh Flyr, vice president of network and operations design at Frontier, emphasized the airline's commitment to providing affordable options, as customers had been actively seeking cheaper flights to Philadelphia from Pittsburgh and other destinations across the state.

Flyr stated, "The sky is for everyone," underscoring Frontier's mission to make air travel more accessible.

In addition to the new Pittsburgh-Philadelphia route, Frontier will be expanding its services from Pittsburgh by adding flights to Atlanta, Dallas, and Raleigh Durham. These new flights will commence on May 16, 2024, with flights to Atlanta and Raleigh-Durham operating four times a week, and flights to Dallas-Fort Worth operating three times a week.

According to Allegheny County Councilman at-large Sam DeMarco, the introduction of these Frontier flights is anticipated to generate a local economic impact of approximately $72 million. DeMarco extended an invitation to Philadelphia residents, despite the cities' cross-state rivalry, encouraging them to visit Pittsburgh, especially when the Phillies play the Pittsburgh Pirates in July.

Highlighting the significance of the Pittsburgh-Philadelphia connection to Pennsylvania's economy, Pennsylvania Department of Transportation secretary Mike Carroll emphasized the importance of this route.

To support the expansion of Frontier's services, the airline will be eligible for up to approximately $600,000 in one-time subsidies and grants from the state and the Allegheny County Airport Authority, according to Bryan Dietz, Vice President of Air Service Development for the Allegheny County Airport Authority.

"We want to show Frontier that they are an important partner to the state and county," Dietz added.

With affordable fares, increased flight options, and the potential for boosted economic activity, the addition of Frontier Airlines' flights from Pittsburgh to Philadelphia brings much-needed relief to Western Pennsylvanians seeking convenient and cost-effective travel within the Keystone State.

(Article based on the provided information)