Frontier Airlines opens nonstop route from MSP to Kansas City

Airfares between the Twin Cities and Kansas City have plummeted as Frontier Airlines introduced nonstop service on the route this week.

Frontier is offering round-trip fares for as little as $98, excluding taxes and fees. Delta, which had dominated the route, is matching Frontier's fares. Frontier says fares on the route averaged $418 last year.

About 400 people now fly the route daily. But Frontier spokesman Daniel Schurz said his airline expects lower fares will entice more people to fly between the Twin Cities and Kansas City.

"Minneapolis stood out as a reasonably big market with very high fares. So, we think there's a sizeable potential market to gain," Schurz said. "We think given the high average fares, some portion of the market has shifted to driving and we think we can attract them to travelling by air."

Meanwhile, Delta is challenging Frontier in Kansas City. This week, Delta launched nonstop service between Kansas City and several destinations, including Los Angeles, Boston and New Orleans.