Fans of Frontier Airlines - and low airfares - received a nice gift last week when Republic Airways Holdings won a bidding war for the Denver-based airline over rival Southwest.

Southwest, also a low-fare carrier, would have gobbled up Frontier and sold off its planes. But Republic plans to operate Frontier as a wholly owned subsidiary, which means it will retain its name and the signature planes - with their "spokesanimals" tails and TV screens in the seatbacks - will continue to fly.

And Coloradans will continue to have the choice of two quality low-fare airlines in Southwest and Frontier.

The Republic deal also allows Frontier's subsidiary, Lynx Aviation, to continue operation as its own entity.

Yes, the deal means we no longer get to claim the airline as "Denver-owned," but Frontier needed the cash infusion.

We've known since last April, when the company filed for bankruptcy protection, that the airline faced tough times.