McGhee Tyson Airport will lose service from Denver-based Frontier Airlines after August. Knoxville airport expects the departure to be temporary. The news comes as Knoxville’s airport works to reshape itself amid passenger growth, landing both a new airline in Southwest and new flights throughout 2026.
Frontier flies a regular, direct route to Denver three times a week. The airline, one of McGhee Tyson’s six carriers, began operating in Knoxville in 2011. Frontier says it will return to East Tennessee to offer flights from Knoxville on a seasonal basis, airport spokesperson Becky Huckaby told Knox News via text.
In the meantime, Allegiant, Southwest Airlines and United also offer nonstop service to Denver. Frontier has attempted to capitalize on the 2026 closure of ultra-budget rival Spirit Airlines, tracking a rise in share prices and bidding millions on Spirit’s old flight slots.
Growth is one of the watchwords at McGhee Tyson, which is building a new parking garage and planning to revamp its terminal as part of its long-range plan for the coming years. Southwest became McGhee Tyson’s newest catch in March, joining American, Avelo, Delta, Frontier and United airlines serving the Knoxville airport. Southwest recently unveiled nonstop service to Las Vegas, and United is adding a New Jersey route that will give Knoxville travelers easier access to New York City.
Frontier’s exit also comes amid a wave of political change at McGhee Tyson. For the first time in the airport’s history, the people making decisions about spending and strategy will mostly be chosen by Tennessee state officials. The Tennessee legislature in 2026 vacated the governing boards of every major metro airport in the state. As of July 21, two of McGhee Tyson’s nine board members will be new to their roles − and they’ll have a lot to learn as projects pick up.
The new McGhee Tyson board members will have decisions to make about the airport’s future in their first public meeting July 22. Mariah Franklin reports on technology and energy for Knox News.
