“This loss is even more unbearable when it follows one of the best quarters in our history,” said Frontier Airlines CEO Sean Menke. This comes after Frontier posted a substantial third quarter loss of $32.5 million.
The loss comes on higher fuel costs and the start up costs for Lynx, Frontier’s new regional service.
Frontier struggled last month as winter storms rocked their Denver hub and provided less than optimal scheduling operations. Some of Frontier’s other markets also dragged down the airline.
The airline continues to tweak their scheduling and operations. They are scaling back on their mainline and regional services from 18-20 percent to just 12-14 percent capacity growth rate. They have also eliminated some of their point-to-point operations outside their Denver hub that were under performing, most notably in Memphis and on routes to Mexico.
The airline is taking delivery of two A320’s and will put them in place on the high demand Denver- Ronald Reagan/ DC route. However, the airline has elected to sell 4 of their 22 outright owned Airbus aircraft which will include A318’s and A319’s.
Frontier Airlines continues to grow but is finding it more difficult than first projected. The introduction of Lynx will help the airline weather some of the storm; however, Lynx will not solely save the airline. Other things need to be done.
For instance, it is very rare to see product development such as tv ads, news print ads, or other forms of advertising outside of the Denver markets. Frontier needs to continue to product development but outside the DIA market.
Frontier Airlines Press Release
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