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Nov 3, 1999

Frontier Airlines Reports Sixth Consecutive Profitable Quarter


DENVER (Nov. 3, 1999) - Frontier Airlines (Nasdaq: FRNT ) today announced its sixth consecutive profitable quarter for the quarter ended Sept. 30, 1999. The airline reported net income for its fiscal second quarter of $9.0 million, or $0.47 per diluted common share, compared to net income of $9.9 million, or $0.64 cents per diluted common share, for the same time period last year. The airline's fiscal second quarter operating income was $13.4 million, compared to $9.8 million for the same time period last year. The airline recorded $5.6 million of income tax expense during its second fiscal quarter. No tax expense was recorded during the same time period last year since the airline utilized tax loss carryforwards, which had not previously been recognized, to eliminate its tax liability.

Operating revenues increased 50.3 percent to $85.5 million for the quarter ended Sept. 30, 1999 on increased capacity of 47.8 percent, as compared to the same time period last year. Total revenue per available seat mile (RASM) for the airline's fiscal second quarter increased to 9.49 cents from 9.33 cents, or a 1.7 percent increase over the same period last year. Total revenue per passenger mile (yield) for the quarter increased to 14.85 cents from 14.66 cents, or a 1.3 percent increase over the same period last year.

"Today's announcement marks several milestones for Frontier," said Frontier President Sam Addoms. "Effective with our fiscal second quarter, Frontier now carries retained earnings on its balance sheet. Prior to our fiscal second quarter, we carried an accumulated deficit, as reflected on past balance sheets. In addition, while we are pleased with our second quarter results, we recognize the need to implement more efficient capital planning. We recently announced an important strategic initiative by which we will transition our Boeing 737-200 and 737-300 fleet to Airbus A319 and A318 aircraft. Operating newer aircraft will provide significant cost savings for the company in such areas as flight operations and maintenance. This purchase plan will also provide positive financial benefits as a result of accelerated depreciation and the associated reduction in income taxes. From a marketing perspective, the new Airbus aircraft will provide more passenger comfort and fleet commonality."

The airline's operating expenses during the quarter ended Sept. 30, 1999 increased 53.1 percent to $72.1 million compared to $47.1 million for the same quarter last year. Cost per available seat mile (CASM) for the quarter increased to 8.01 cents from 7.73 cents for the same quarter last year. Fuel costs during the quarter increased 31.1 percent to 74.0 cents per gallon, compared to 56.4 cents for the same period last year. CASM excluding fuel costs were 6.83 cents, as compared to the same period last year when CASM excluding fuel costs were 6.81 cents. During the airline's second quarter, it accrued $1.1 million for the Company's employee performance bonus program. Excluding fuel and the accrual for the employee bonus program, CASM for the airline's second quarter would have been 6.71 cents, or a year-over-year decrease of 1.5 percent. The airline did not accrue for this program during its fiscal second quarter 1999.

"Our focus during the September quarter included the continued task of rotating 13 aircraft throughout our fleet during calendar year 1999," Addoms continued. "This process includes retiring and replacing our Stage 2 equipment and inducting three net new aircraft during calendar year 1999. We have replaced four of the five Stage 2 737-200 Basic aircraft and will replace the fifth Stage 2 aircraft during our third quarter. In addition, we plan to take delivery of our twentieth Boeing 737 in November."

Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments available for operations on Sept. 30, 1999 were $81.2 million.

Revenue enhancements impacting the quarter included:

  • Enabling two of the four global distribution systems (Amadeus and Galileo) to provide electronic ticketing services for Frontier passengers,
  • Signing the 2,949thcorporate account,
  • Inaugurating service to Orlando, FL., which began Sept. 9.

Developments during the quarter included:

  • Retiring four of the airline's five Boeing 737-200 Basic aircraft, which were replaced with newer 737-200 Advanced aircraft and 737-300 aircraft,
  • Appointing a new chief financial officer, Steve Warnecke,
  • Announcing the relocation of the airline's new corporate headquarters.

Milestones celebrated during the quarter included:

  • Celebration of five years of service, typically the time when airlines are no longer classified as a "start-up" carrier,
  • The addition of Frontier Airlines' stock to the Russell 2000® Index of small-capitalization stocks,

"This is a great time for the people of Frontier," said Frontier President Sam Addoms. "Their hard work and diligent efforts to bring affordable fares to consumers in the communities we serve is paying off for shareholders, customers and employees. In addition, I am particularly pleased that our operating income of $25.0 million for the six months ended Sept. 30 already exceeds the total operating income we generated during the entire fiscal year 1999."

The operating income number is a key driver for the Company's new employee performance bonus program, dubbed S.O.A.R., or Success = Operate profitably, Arrive on time, Reduce costs.

Denver-based Frontier Airlines commenced operations on July 5, 1994. Unlike other airlines, Frontier's low fares do not have a Saturday night stay requirement. In addition, Frontier offers frequent flyer miles in Continental Airlines' OnePass® program. The airline currently serves 21 cities coast to coast with a fleet of 19 Boeing 737 jets and employs approximately 1,800 travel professionals. Frontier was recently named "Best Domestic Low-Fare Air Carrier" by Entrepreneur magazine in the publication's sixth annual Business Travel Awards. Ernst & Young LLP recently presented Frontier Airlines with the Rocky Mountain Region Entrepreneur of the Year® Award in the services sector. Frontier's Web site may be viewed at http://www.frontierairlines.com .

Statements contained in this press release which are not historical facts are forward-looking statements as that item is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from estimated results. Such risks and uncertainties are detailed in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission

-Financial Tables To Follow-

FRONTIER AIRLINES, INC. CONDENSED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

(unaudited)

Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
September 30, 1999 September 30, 1998 September 30, 1999 September 30, 1998
Revenues:
Passenger $83,412,784 $55,502,301 $159,387,697 $97,062,888
Cargo 1,477,492 967,071 2,918,576 1,971,819
Other 562,989 383,541 1,033,189 705,759
Total Revenues 85,453,265 56,852,913 163,339,462 99,740,466
Operating expenses:
Flight operations 30,376,247 18,778,648 56,260,630 36,632,354
Aircraft and traffic servicing 11,914,874 8,453,991 22,620,604 15,591,813
Maintenance 12,347,293 9,410,480 25,897,545 18,138,348
Promotion and sales 12,646,049 8,296,433 24,476,968 15,422,893
General and administrative 4,170,915 1,758,020 7,858,538 3,036,579
Depreciation and amortization 633,441 377,525 1,207,652 715,974
Total operating expenses 72,088,819 47,075,097 138,321,937 89,537,961
Operating income 13,364,446 9,777,816 25,017,525 10,202,505
Nonoperating income (expense):
Interest income 10,202,505 344,403 1,947,122 619,972
Interest expense (26,115) (217,842) (48,016) (458,081)
Other, net 136,587 (34,819) 15,021 (61,129)
Total nonoperating income, net 1,232,951 91,742 1,914,127 100,762
Income before income tax expense 14,597,397 9,869,558 26,931,652 10,303,267
Income tax expense 5,583,517 - 10,301,369 -
Net income $9,013,880 $9,869,558 $16,630,283 $10,303,267
Earnings per share:
Basic $ 0.52 $ 0.71 $ 0.98 $ 0.78
Diluted $ 0.47 $ 0.64 $ 0.89 $ 0.71
Weighted average shares of common stock outstanding
Basic 17,452,641 13,955,031 16,998,582 13,238,367
Diluted 19,090,549 15,354,381 18,637,440 14,483,683
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