Frontier CEO Says ‘Fortress Hubs’ Are Harming Competition
Photo Credit: Frontier CEO Barry Biffle at the 2025 Skift Global Forum in New York City on September 17. Skift
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Frontier CEO Barry Biffle pressed Senators to "level the playing field" for ultra-low-cost carriers as several lawmakers expressed alarm about industry consolidation squeezing out ultra-low-cost carriers.
Frontier Airlines CEO Barry Biffle said allowing carriers to control the majority of gates at airports is hurting competition in the industry.
“You can have the planes, pilots, fuel and crews, but if you don't have the gate, you don't get to play right now, too many of those gates are locked up by a handful of big airlines,” Biffle said at a Senate hearing on Tuesday. “Across the country, we see fortress hubs, airports with a single airline controlling 60,70, 80% of the gates. This kind of dominance doesn't give carriers pricing power. It gives them control of who gets in and out of the market.”
The hearing was hosted by the Senate judiciary subcommittee on antitrust, competition, and consumer rights. Several lawmakers had also expressed concerns about the level of consolidation in the airline industry.
Senator Mike Lee, a
