Colorado attorney general asks DOT to investigate Frontier

Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser (D) has asked the Department of Transportation (DOT) to investigate Denver-based Frontier Airlines after receiving more than 100 complaints of “unfair or deceptive” practices. 

Frontier allegedly denied refunds, failed to promptly redeem flight credits or vouchers that were given instead of a refund and didn’t help customers when they called to resolve problems amid the coronavirus pandemic.

“Since March 2020, my office received and reviewed more than one hundred complaints against Frontier from consumers in Colorado and 29 other states—more than about any other company during that time,” Weiser wrote in a letter to Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao on Tuesday.

Weiser urged the DOT to use its authority, including civil penalties of up to $2,500 per violation, where appropriate.

“I urge you to carefully review Frontier’s practices and, if you find such practices to be unfair or deceptive, to use your authority to protect consumers,” Weiser wrote. 

A DOT spokesperson told The Hill the agency is reviewing Weiser’s letter.

Frontier denied any wrongdoing on its part. 

“Throughout the pandemic, Frontier Airlines has acted in good faith to care for our passengers compassionately and fairly,” Frontier spokesperson Jennifer de la Cruz said in a statement to The Hill. “At all times we have remained in full compliance with DOT rules and regulations governing flight changes, cancellations and refunds. We strongly dispute any suggestion to the contrary.”

Congress has for weeks been negotiating whether to grant U.S. airlines another $25 billion in payroll assistance first granted in the March CARES Act. As those funds expire in October, some major airlines have begun suspending flights.

Updated: 3:12 p.m.