Frontier Airlines is preparing to expand into South America for the first time in its 32-year history, with Orlando International Airport expected to play a major role in the low-cost carrier’s latest expansion.
The airline announced plans to launch new nonstop routes between Orlando International Airport (MCO) and destinations in South America. Frontier has not officially disclosed the cities it will serve, but the carrier plans to reveal additional details during a media event at the Orlando airport.
Industry reports suggest Colombia could be the focus of the expansion. Aviation Week reported that Frontier submitted applications to Colombia’s Civil Aviation Authority seeking approval to operate flights between Orlando and Bogotá, Medellín and Cartagena.
The proposed Cartagena route would restore nonstop Frontier competition to a market previously served by Spirit Airlines. Orlando already has nonstop service to Bogotá and Medellín through Avianca, while LATAM Airlines also serves the Orlando-Bogotá market. Cartagena, a popular Caribbean tourism destination known for its historic center and nearby beaches and islands, has also attracted growing luxury tourism investment.
Securing international routes can be a lengthy process because airlines must receive regulatory approvals from the governments involved. Orlando International Airport has previously spent years pursuing some international destinations. Airport officials worked for more than five years in efforts to secure nonstop service between Orlando and Japan.
Despite those challenges, additional international flights can provide significant economic benefits to Central Florida by bringing more overseas visitors into the region, supporting tourism-related jobs and strengthening business connections between Orlando and international markets.
Frontier’s Orlando expansion also comes as the airline moves to capture passengers and routes left behind following Spirit Airlines’ shutdown in May. Spirit had been Orlando International Airport’s third-busiest airline in 2025, accounting for 10.8% of the airport’s passenger market. Frontier CEO Jimmy Dempsey said during the company’s first-quarter 2026 earnings call that the airline planned to add service in Orlando and other former Spirit markets, including Las Vegas, Dallas-Fort Worth, Fort Lauderdale and Detroit.
The expansion appears to be contributing to Frontier’s recent growth. In the following quarter, the airline reported an all-time record $1.3 billion in total revenue, representing a 38% increase from the same period a year earlier. Adding South America would further expand Frontier’s presence at one of its key Florida airports while giving Orlando travelers additional low-cost options for international travel.
