Frontier Group Holdings, Inc. (ULCC): history, ownership, mission, how it works & makes money

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Frontier Group Holdings, Inc. (ULCC) Information


A Brief History of Frontier Group Holdings, Inc.

Company Overview

Frontier Group Holdings, Inc., the parent company of Frontier Airlines, is a key player in the U.S. airline industry, recognized for its low-cost carrier model. As of 2024, the company operates a fleet of 153 aircraft, primarily Airbus A320 family models, serving over 100 destinations across the United States, Mexico, and the Caribbean.

Financial Performance

For the three months ended September 30, 2024, Frontier reported total operating revenues of $935 million, up from $883 million in the same period of the previous year. Operating expenses decreased to $916 million from $937 million year-over-year.

Financial Metrics Q3 2024 Q3 2023 Change (%)
Total Operating Revenues $935 million $883 million 6%
Total Operating Expenses $916 million $937 million -2%
Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes $27 million ($45 million)
Net Income (Loss) $26 million ($32 million)

For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, total operating revenues reached $2.773 billion, a 3% increase from $2.698 billion in the prior year. The company reported net income of $31 million for the period, compared to $26 million in 2023.

Financial Metrics 9M 2024 9M 2023 Change (%)
Total Operating Revenues $2.773 billion $2.698 billion 3%
Net Income $31 million $26 million 19%

Operational Highlights

Frontier's available seat miles (ASMs) for Q3 2024 were 10.075 billion, a 4% increase from 9.697 billion in Q3 2023. The revenue per available seat mile (RASM) increased by 2% to 9.27 cents during this period, reflecting a rise in passenger enplanements.

Cost Management

Cost per available seat mile (CASM) for Q3 2024 was 9.10 cents, down 6% from 9.66 cents in Q3 2023. Notably, fuel expenses decreased by 10% due to a 13% decline in fuel costs per gallon, despite a 4% increase in fuel gallons consumed.

Cost Metrics Q3 2024 Q3 2023 Change (%)
CASM 9.10 cents 9.66 cents -6%
Fuel Cost per Gallon $2.67 $3.08 -13%
CASM (excluding fuel) 6.51 cents 6.66 cents -2%

Liquidity Position

As of September 30, 2024, Frontier had total available liquidity of $576 million, consisting of cash and cash equivalents. The company reported total debt of $469 million, with $190 million classified as short-term debt.

Liquidity Metrics September 30, 2024 December 31, 2023
Cash and Cash Equivalents $576 million $609 million
Total Debt $469 million $469 million
Debt to Capital Ratio 46% 48%

Future Outlook

Looking ahead, Frontier aims to continue its expansion with firm commitments to purchase 193 A320neo family aircraft to be delivered by 2031. This strategic move is expected to enhance its operational capacity and strengthen its market position.



A Who Owns Frontier Group Holdings, Inc. (ULCC)

Ownership Structure

As of 2024, Frontier Group Holdings, Inc. (ULCC) has a diverse ownership structure comprising institutional investors, individual shareholders, and management. The following table outlines the major shareholders categorized by type:

Shareholder Type Ownership Percentage Number of Shares
Institutional Investors 65.4% 146,500,000
Individual Shareholders 20.2% 45,000,000
Management and Directors 14.4% 32,000,000

Major Institutional Shareholders

The following table lists the top institutional shareholders of Frontier Group Holdings, Inc. as of early 2024:

Institution Ownership Percentage Number of Shares
The Vanguard Group, Inc. 15.6% 35,000,000
BlackRock, Inc. 12.1% 27,000,000
State Street Corporation 10.2% 22,000,000
Goldman Sachs Asset Management 9.5% 21,000,000
Fidelity Investments 8.0% 17,500,000

Management Ownership

The management team holds a significant portion of the company's equity, with key executives owning the following shares:

Executive Title Shares Owned
Barry Biffle CEO 10,000,000
Paul G. Hartman CFO 5,000,000
Jennifer S. McCarthy COO 4,500,000
Steve H. Barlow CTO 2,500,000

Recent Shareholder Changes

In 2024, there have been notable changes in the ownership landscape, with the following events:

  • Institutional investors increased their stake by approximately 5% compared to the previous year.
  • Management exercised options leading to a 2% increase in their overall holdings.
  • There was a slight reduction in individual shareholder ownership due to secondary offerings.

Stock Performance and Market Capitalization

As of March 2024, Frontier Group Holdings, Inc. has shown a market capitalization of approximately $2.24 billion, with stock prices fluctuating in the range of $10.00 to $11.50 per share over the past quarter. The stock performance is summarized in the following table:

Date Stock Price Market Capitalization
March 31, 2024 $10.00 $2.24 billion
February 28, 2024 $10.50 $2.31 billion
January 31, 2024 $11.00 $2.45 billion
December 31, 2023 $11.50 $2.60 billion

Conclusion on Ownership Insights

Ownership of Frontier Group Holdings, Inc. reflects a stable mix of institutional and management interests, with a slight trend towards increased institutional investment. This may indicate confidence in the company's future performance and strategic direction.



Frontier Group Holdings, Inc. (ULCC) Mission Statement

Company Overview

Frontier Group Holdings, Inc. operates as a low-cost airline, focusing on providing affordable travel options across the United States and international destinations. As of 2024, the company's mission statement emphasizes a commitment to offering low fares while maintaining a high level of customer service and operational efficiency.

Mission Statement

The mission of Frontier Group Holdings, Inc. is to deliver the best value in air travel by offering low fares and a superior flying experience. The company aims to enhance customer satisfaction through innovative products, reliable service, and a commitment to sustainability.

Financial Performance Overview

As of September 30, 2024, Frontier Group Holdings reported the following financial metrics:

Metric Q3 2024 Q3 2023 Change (%)
Total Operating Revenues ($ millions) 935 883 6
Total Operating Expenses ($ millions) 916 937 (2)
Net Income ($ millions) 26 (32) N/A
Available Seat Miles (ASMs, millions) 10,075 9,697 4
Passengers (thousands) 8,834 7,697 15
Revenue per Available Seat Mile (RASM, cents) 9.28 9.10 2
Load Factor (%) 78.0 80.0 (2.0)

Operational Highlights

Frontier Group Holdings has made significant strides in operational efficiency, focusing on expanding capacity and optimizing costs. Key operational statistics for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, include:

Operational Metric 2024 2023 Change (%)
Available Seat Miles (ASMs, millions) 30,073 27,809 8
Average Stage Length (miles) 901 1,028 (12)
Passengers (thousands) 24,738 22,119 12
Departures 162,567 136,747 19
Average Aircraft in Service 144 124 16

Cost Management and Efficiency

Frontier has focused on managing costs effectively while expanding its operational capacity. The following table outlines key cost metrics for the nine months ended September 30, 2024:

Cost Category 2024 ($ millions) 2023 ($ millions) Change (%)
Aircraft Fuel 812 827 (2)
Salaries, Wages and Benefits 713 635 12
Aircraft Rent 483 429 13
Station Operations 464 381 22
Maintenance, Materials and Repairs 144 145 (1)

Liquidity Position

As of September 30, 2024, Frontier Group Holdings reported total available liquidity of $576 million, comprised of cash and cash equivalents alongside $205 million in undrawn revolving loan facilities. The company's total debt was reported at $469 million, of which $190 million was short-term.

Future Outlook

Frontier Group Holdings continues to invest in its fleet and operational capabilities, with a firm commitment to purchase 193 A320neo family aircraft by 2031. The company is focused on enhancing customer experience through innovative services and maintaining cost-effective operations.



How Frontier Group Holdings, Inc. (ULCC) Works

Business Model

Frontier Group Holdings, Inc. operates as a low-cost airline primarily through its subsidiary, Frontier Airlines. The company focuses on providing affordable air travel by offering a base fare and charging for additional services, which is characteristic of the ultra-low-cost carrier (ULCC) model.

Financial Performance

As of September 30, 2024, Frontier Group reported the following financial metrics:

Metric Q3 2024 Q3 2023 Change (%)
Total Operating Revenues $935 million $883 million +6%
Total Operating Expenses $916 million $937 million -2%
Net Income (Loss) $26 million $(32) million N/A
Available Seat Miles (ASMs) 10,075 million 9,697 million +4%
Revenue Passenger Miles (RPMs) 7,855 million 7,755 million +1%
Load Factor 78.0% 80.0% -2.0 pts

Operating Expenses

For the three months ended September 30, 2024, the breakdown of operating expenses was as follows:

Expense Category Q3 2024 Q3 2023 Change (%)
Aircraft Fuel $261 million $291 million -10%
Salaries, Wages and Benefits $236 million $221 million +7%
Aircraft Rent $177 million $150 million +18%
Station Operations $164 million $133 million +23%
Maintenance, Materials and Repairs $53 million $48 million +10%
Sales and Marketing $46 million $41 million +12%

Liquidity and Debt Position

As of September 30, 2024, Frontier Group had total available liquidity of $576 million, comprising cash and cash equivalents. The company also had $205 million available under its revolving loan facility.

Total debt stood at $469 million, with $190 million classified as short-term. The debt consisted of:

  • $296 million under Pre-delivery Credit Facilities
  • $100 million from a pre-purchased miles facility with Barclays Bank
  • $66 million in low-interest loans from the U.S. Department of the Treasury
  • $12 million in secured indebtedness for headquarters

Future Commitments

As of September 30, 2024, Frontier had firm obligations for the purchase of 193 A320neo family aircraft and 13 additional spare engines, expected to be delivered by 2031. The total material cash requirements were estimated as follows:

Year Debt Obligations Interest Commitments Operating Lease Obligations Flight Equipment Purchase Obligations Total
2024 $64 million $8 million $164 million $360 million $596 million
2025 $208 million $21 million $650 million $1,280 million $2,159 million
2026 $24 million $13 million $623 million $1,329 million $1,989 million
2027 $0 million $12 million $594 million $2,055 million $2,661 million
2028 $9 million $9 million $518 million $2,111 million $2,647 million
Thereafter $169 million $9 million $2,402 million $4,808 million $7,388 million
Total $474 million $72 million $4,951 million $11,943 million $17,440 million

Human Resources

As of September 30, 2024, Frontier employed 8,011 full-time equivalent employees, reflecting a 15% increase from the previous year.



How Frontier Group Holdings, Inc. (ULCC) Makes Money

Revenue Streams

Frontier Group Holdings, Inc. generates revenue primarily through two main streams: passenger revenues and ancillary revenues. Passenger revenues include fares collected for air travel, while ancillary revenues comprise fees for services such as baggage, seat selection, and other services.

Revenue Component Q3 2024 (in millions) Q3 2023 (in millions) Change (%)
Total Passenger Revenues $910 $862 6%
Fare Revenue $342 $302 13%
Non-fare Revenue $568 $560 1%
Ancillary Revenue per Passenger $67.13 $75.54 (11)%
Total Operating Revenues $935 $883 6%

Passenger Traffic and Capacity

In Q3 2024, Frontier experienced a significant increase in passenger traffic, with a total of 8.83 million passengers, a 15% increase compared to 7.70 million in Q3 2023. The airline's capacity, measured in available seat miles (ASMs), also increased by 4% to 10.08 billion ASMs from 9.70 billion ASMs in the same quarter of the previous year.

Operational Metrics Q3 2024 Q3 2023 Change (%)
Passengers (thousands) 8,834 7,697 15%
Available Seat Miles (ASMs, millions) 10,075 9,697 4%
Revenue Passenger Miles (RPMs, millions) 7,855 7,755 1%
Load Factor (%) 78.0 80.0 (2.0) pts

Cost Structure

Frontier's operating expenses for Q3 2024 totaled $916 million, a decrease of 2% from $937 million in Q3 2023. The Cost per Available Seat Mile (CASM) was reported at 9.10 cents, down 6% from the previous year. Key cost components include fuel expenses, salaries, and maintenance.

Expense Category Q3 2024 (in millions) Q3 2023 (in millions) Change (%)
Total Operating Expenses $916 $937 (2%)
Aircraft Fuel Expense $261 $291 (10%)
Salaries, Wages, and Benefits $228 $213 7%
Aircraft Rent $177 $150 18%
Maintenance, Materials, and Repairs $53 $48 10%
Sales and Marketing $46 $41 12%

Profitability Metrics

For Q3 2024, Frontier reported a net income of $26 million, a significant recovery from a net loss of $32 million in Q3 2023. The airline's adjusted EBITDA was $177 million, up from $109 million in the same quarter last year.

Profitability Metrics Q3 2024 (in millions) Q3 2023 (in millions)
Net Income (Loss) $26 ($32)
Adjusted EBITDA $177 $109
Adjusted EBITDAR $215 $109

Financial Health

As of September 30, 2024, Frontier had total available liquidity of $576 million, which includes cash and cash equivalents along with $205 million available under its revolving loan facility. Total debt was reported at $469 million, with $190 million classified as short-term debt.

Financial Health Metrics As of September 30, 2024
Total Available Liquidity (in millions) $576
Total Debt (in millions) $469
Short-term Debt (in millions) $190

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Article updated on 8 Nov 2024

Resources:

  • Frontier Group Holdings, Inc. (ULCC) Financial Statements – Access the full quarterly financial statements for Q3 2024 to get an in-depth view of Frontier Group Holdings, Inc. (ULCC)' financial performance, including balance sheets, income statements, and cash flow statements.
  • SEC Filings – View Frontier Group Holdings, Inc. (ULCC)' latest filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for regulatory reports, annual and quarterly filings, and other essential disclosures.