CORPUS CHRISTI, Tx \u2014 Taryn and Delfina Hunter travel to Denver to visit family often. This time, they have a special travel companion.<\/p>\n
“My three year old daughter Zileena wants to see mountains,” Taryn Hunter, Traveler, said.<\/p>\n
Delfina says when traveling with children, it’s all about timing, and she’s grateful she has an extra hand this time.<\/p>\n
“I’m excited that we don’t have to get on a layover. We’re gonna get there straight shot and she’s gonna be calm,” Delfina Hunter, Traveler, said.<\/p>\n
The new Frontier flight from Corpus Christi to Denver is the first nonstop connection between the two cities, a big milestone for the airport and the Coastal Bend.<\/p>\n
But some residents are wondering \u2014 will it last?<\/p>\n
Interim Aviation Director Jeremy Valgardson says this is just the beginning.<\/p>\n
“It’s definitely not a one time thing,” Jeremy Valgardson, Interim Aviation Director, said.<\/p>\n
“The more airlines we get here, the more use we get out of the airport, the lower that ticket price is gonna be,” Valgardson said.<\/p>\n
To understand the economic impact, I met with Mike Culbertson, President and CEO of the Corpus Christi Regional Economic Development Corporation, who also serves on the airport board. He says there’s a reason Denver was chosen.<\/p>\n
“Our airport would be three times the size if everyone who lived in Corpus, flew out of Corpus,” Mike Culbertson, President\/CEO of the Corpus Christi Regional Economic Development Corporation, said.<\/p>\n
He says many local travelers drive to other Texas airports to catch a flight to Denver. Having Frontier here could change that.<\/p>\n
Culbertson adds that lower fares help more than just travelers \u2014 they help the local economy too.<\/p>\n
“Your fares go down at least by a third,” Culbertson said.<\/p>\n
Back at the airport, city leaders and council members joined travelers to celebrate the first flight, marking what they call a new chapter for Corpus Christi’s growth.<\/p>\n
And for families like the Hunters, it’s a day they’ll never forget.<\/p>\n
“Everybody’s like y’all are on the first flight. Are you nervous? We’re not. We’re excited!” Delfina Hunter said.<\/p>\n
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