http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6560602/ DENVER - Buffeted by high fuel prices and aggressive competition, Frontier Airlines Inc. is scaling back its Los Angeles operations by eliminating nonstop service there to all cities but Denver. Frontier spokesman Joe Hodas said Monday that the industry's environment has changed since the Los Angeles nonstops were launched. He said rising fuel prices and lower sales played a role. Denver-based Frontier launched the service from Los Angeles International Airport to the other cities in April, the first time it had operated point-to-point routes outside its Denver hub. Analysts believed it was a logical strategy because the Frontier flights bypassed DIA and its higher fees. The low-cost carrier will eliminate its nonstop Los Angeles-Philadelphia and Los Angeles-Kansas City, Mo., flights effective Feb. 23. It previously canceled Los Angeles-Minneapolis and Los Angeles-St. Louis flights. Frontier has filled 40 percent to 60 percent of the seats on those flights in the past seven months, Hodas said. The airline will still serve those cities with flights that make a stop at Denver International Airport. Like most of the industry, Denver-based Frontier has been battered by high fuel costs and low-cost competition that has affected its ability to raise ticket prices. Frontier has posted three consecutive quarter losses. The seven largest U.S. carriers reported $5.1 billion in combined net losses for the first nine months of 2004. Frontier shares rose 11 cents to close at $9.71 Monday on the Nasdaq Stock Market. The stock is trading $3 above its 52-week low. =20