Group’s Fourth-Quarter Guidance Shows Improved Revenue and Performance

Frontier Group Holdings’ recent fourth-quarter guidance has become a foundation for its pilots to continue advocating for increased pay. The report showed an impressive increase in revenue and operational performance for the carrier.

The Frontier Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) released a statement on the matter shortly after the updated fourth-quarter guidance was published.

“Frontier pilots have been instrumental in driving the airline’s growth and profitability,” stated Capt. Michael Maynard, chair of the Frontier ALPA. “We remain at the bottom of the pay scale among other U.S. pilots flying the same aircraft, and we call on management to prioritize long-overdue improvements to address issues important to Frontier Airlines pilots, not just as a matter of fairness but as essential to ensuring Frontier’s continued success.”

Frontier’s analysis shows that adjusted pretax margins rose by 300 basis points and revenue per available seat mile grew 14% from last year. The group disclosed a notable improvement to its operational performance, with the carrier ranking second among major US carriers in a December completion factor scale.

The updated guidance also noted that Frontier’s adjusted operating expenses, excluding fuel, are slightly lower than initial projections. The cost for the fourth quarter is expected to be between $725 million and $735 million. For the full year 2024, the company also forecasts a 1% reduction in cost per available seat mile (CASM), excluding fuel, when adjusted to a stage length of 1,000 miles, compared to 2023.

These numbers demonstrate great financial strength at Frontier, which isn’t reflected by how much they pay their flight crews. The Frontier ALPA, representing around 2,000 of the carrier’s pilots, reported that its employees are paid around 49% less than industry peers. This disparity is what caused several Frontier pilots to go on strike last November.

“For over a year, our pilots have been negotiating for pay and benefits that are on par with our peers at other U.S. carriers,” Maynard continued. “Despite Frontier Airlines’ financial reports showing that it has the capacity to invest in its workforce, there has been no willingness to resolve these issues at the negotiating table.”

FMI: www.flyfrontier.com