Spirit to Depart Falls Airport; Prior Ends 59-Year Run at Buffalo Facility

A pair of long-time fixtures at the region's two main airports are about to leave the local aviation scene, one permanently and one for at least the time being.

The developments, reported at Thursday's meeting of the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority's board of commissioners, include:

Spirit Airlines, providing service to Florida from Niagara Falls International Airport for the past several years, will suspend service beginning Oct. 1.

Prior Aviation, the locally-owned firm, which for almost six decades has served as Buffalo Niagara International Airport's fixed-base operator by maintaining its private and charter aviation terminal and providing other air services, will be replaced by a national company.

William R. Vanecek, NFTA director of aviation, told commissioners that airlines around the country are planning major cutbacks and layoffs on Oct. 1, when a $25 billion federal loan and grant plan designed to protect airline payrolls expires. Earlier this summer, Spirit secured more than $330 million in assistance from the U.S. Treasury Department, according to the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.

But with the Canadian border closed and the diversion of much of Spirit's passenger base away from Niagara Falls, Vanecek said the company decided to suspend its local operations.

"It's just a business decision," he said. "They had Covid funding through the end of September and they had to maintain their employee base. But that's no longer a requirement."

The Florida-based airline has proven an NFIA mainstay, but still provides only three to five flights per week, Vanecek said.

"This will have a significant impact," he said.

The news prompted Commissioner Anthony J. Baynes to question what course the authority faces should Niagara Falls' other airline – Allegiant – also suspend operations.

"If Allegiant pulled out, we would have to look at mothballing the terminal," Vanecek said, noting dramatic dropoffs in passenger levels and parking revenues at both Buffalo and Niagara Falls since the Covid-19 pandemic sparked air travel fears and closed the border to Canadian passengers, which made up a major portion of both airports' base.

Spirit, he said, suffered significant financial losses during the pandemic, flying 180-passenger planes to Florida often with only about 10 passengers on board.

"Right now we're not anticipating they will be back until next summer," Vancek said.

Commissioner Adam W. Perry, chairman of the board's Aviation Committee, bristled at any suggestion of suspending service at Niagara Falls. He noted that the collaboration and shared services between NFIA and the adjoining Niagara Falls Air Force Base figured heavily in preserving the military facility.

"We have to keep that airport open," Perry said. "I do believe Covid will be over at some point and the Canadians will start coming over again. You just can't turn it on and off like a light switch.

"We need to say we stuck this out."

Kimberley A. Minkel, NFTA executive director, said a 2010 study pegged the Falls airport's economic impact at $200 million annually, adding the figure has grown substantially in the last decade.

Vanecek also announced that Dallas-based TAC Air, the nation's largest general aviation airport operator, will succeed Prior Aviation at Buffalo on Oct. 1. Prior, founded by the late local aviation pioneer Jack Prior and part of the Buffalo Airport since 1961, entertained a takeover offer from TAC earlier this year, Vanecek said.

Now, the new company plans major operational and aesthetic upgrades designed to attract and keep the private aviation customers at Buffalo, Vanecek said.

"I think it will be a really good upgrade for the airport," he said. "They really want to take it to the next level."

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