Frontier Airlines raises fee for carrying antlers from $75 to $100

Frontier Airlines, based in Denver, Colorado, the United States, has decided to raise the charge for taking antlers on its planes to $100 from $75.

The cash-strapped carrier, which has already filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, is the latest airline to announce new fees in an attempt to cope with the skyrocketing prices of oil.

Frontier Airlines Incorporated, based at Denver International Airport in Denver, Colorado, operates flights throughout the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

Antlers are the large and complex horn-like appendages of most species of deer, mostly worn by males only. For some species such as caribou, both sexes have antlers.

A spokeswoman for Frontier Airlines was quoted by the media as commenting on the raised fee for carrying antlers: “During hunting season, people do bring antlers back in cargo. If you look at some of the other airlines, they also have an actual antlers fee, so it does happen.”

A statement from Frontier Airlines said that the carrier also plans to charge a $25-fee for a second checked bag, cancel half-price infant seats and take no more bookings for pets travelling in airplane cabins.

The fee for children traveling alone on Frontier Airlines’ flights will go up to $50 from $40.

In the company’s statement, Sean Menke, chief executive of Frontier Airlines, said: “Unfortunately, we need to review our fee structure to help offset this incredible increase in fuel. We filed for very different reasons than those of other recent carriers, and our customers and employees can be confident that we intend to keep on flying and providing outstanding service and products.”

In order to counter soaring prices of fuel, the statement added, Frontier Airlines is also taking measures to reduce aircraft fuel burn, including new software that optimises flight tracks based on air traffic and weather conditions, installation of lighter leather seats, and the use of more fuel-efficient aircraft.

Frontier Airlines had, in April 2008, received court approval to operate in Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.

Despite being in trouble, Frontier is determined to operate normally, the company’s statement said. This is in contrast with carriers such as Aloha Airlines, Champion Air, ATA Airlines and Skybus Airlines – all of which have shut down operations.

In all, 7 small airlines in the United States have filed for bankruptcy or stopped operating in the past five months.

Frontier Airlines, founded in 1994, competes with Southwest Airlines Company and JetBlue Airways Corporation from its hub in Denver.