GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- Frontier Airlines is returning to Gerald R. Ford International Airport after a four year absence.
Frontier will begin direct flights from Grand Rapids to Orlando, Fla. Dec. 13 and Denver in the spring 2018.
Those flights to Orlando International Airport (MCO) will depart from Grand Rapids at 1:30 p.m. every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, according to the airline's website.
Grand Rapids is one of 21 cities the Denver-based airline is adding new flights, the company announced Tuesday, July 18.
The expansion increases the destinations served by the low-fare carrier by 30 percent and doubles the number of total routes.
"We project this will save our customers over a billion dollars annually on their flights. These new flights will allow us to serve even more of America and make flying a truly affordable option," said Barry Biffle, Frontier CEO, in a statement.
The airline is pairing the announcement with a sale on flights.
Frontier left Grand Rapids in 2013 after 3 years when Southwest Airlines began flying out of the airport.
What's changed in 4 years?
Frontier has new ownership and Grand Rapids continues to grow as a destination, says Tara Hernandez, airport spokeswoman.
On the low-cost front, the airline wil be competing with Southwest and Allegiant. Both offer flights to Florida destinations. Southwest also has non-stop flights to Denver.
With the arrival of Frontier, the airport will have six airlines offering non-stop service, which should continue to drive down ticket prices.
"The biggest thing when you have low cost carriers come to your market, it stimulates that competition," Hernandez said. "Not only are they competing amongst each other, they are competing against legacy carriers like Delta and United who are fighting for that business passenger."
Lower ticket prices are part of the airport's strategy of competing for West Michigan travelers who traditionally drive to Detroit or Chicago to take cheaper flights.