SEC Form 10-Q filed by Frontier Group Holdings Inc.
$ULCC
Air Freight/Delivery Services
Consumer Discretionary
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2024
or
For the transition period from __ to __
Commission File Number: 001-40304
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) | ||||
(720 ) 374-4550
(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code, and Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
| Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: | ||||||||||||||
| Title of each class | Trading Symbol | Name of each exchange on which registered | ||||||||||||
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
| Large accelerated filer | ☐ | ☒ | |||||||||
| Non-accelerated filer | ☐ | Smaller reporting company | |||||||||
| Emerging growth company | |||||||||||
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined by Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐ No ☒
The registrant had 224,483,246 shares of common stock, $0.001 par value per share, outstanding as of August 2, 2024.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
| Page | |||||
1
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q should be considered forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations and beliefs with respect to certain current and future events and anticipated financial and operating performance. Words such as “may,” “might,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “would,” “expect,” “intends,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “project,” “targets,” “predict,” “potential” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Additionally, forward-looking statements include statements that do not relate solely to historical facts, such as statements which identify uncertainties or trends, discuss the possible future effects of current known trends or uncertainties, or which indicate that the future effects of known trends or uncertainties cannot be predicted, guaranteed or assured. You should read the following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations together with our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, as well as our audited consolidated financial statements and related notes as disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on February 20, 2024 (the “2023 Annual Report”). This discussion contains forward-looking statements based upon current plans, expectations and beliefs involving risks and uncertainties. Our actual results may differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including those set forth in Part I, Item 2. “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” Part II, Item 1A, “Risk Factors” and other factors set forth in other parts of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, as well as those risks and uncertainties set forth from time to time under the sections captioned “Risk Factors” in our reports and other documents filed with the SEC, including our 2023 Annual Report. Furthermore, such forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this report. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of such statements.
2
PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
FRONTIER GROUP HOLDINGS, INC.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(unaudited, in millions, except share data)
| June 30, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | ||||||||||
| Assets | |||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Accounts receivable, net | |||||||||||
| Supplies, net | |||||||||||
| Other current assets | |||||||||||
| Total current assets | |||||||||||
| Property and equipment, net | |||||||||||
| Operating lease right-of-use assets | |||||||||||
| Pre-delivery deposits for flight equipment | |||||||||||
| Aircraft maintenance deposits | |||||||||||
| Intangible assets, net | |||||||||||
| Other assets | |||||||||||
| Total assets | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Liabilities and stockholders’ equity | |||||||||||
| Accounts payable | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Air traffic liability | |||||||||||
| Frequent flyer liability | |||||||||||
| Current maturities of long-term debt, net | |||||||||||
| Current maturities of operating leases | |||||||||||
| Other current liabilities | |||||||||||
| Total current liabilities | |||||||||||
| Long-term debt, net | |||||||||||
| Long-term operating leases | |||||||||||
| Long-term frequent flyer liability | |||||||||||
| Other long-term liabilities | |||||||||||
| Total liabilities | |||||||||||
Commitments and contingencies (Note 9) | |||||||||||
| Stockholders’ equity: | |||||||||||
Common stock, $ | |||||||||||
| Additional paid-in capital | |||||||||||
| Retained earnings | |||||||||||
| Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Total stockholders’ equity | |||||||||||
| Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity | $ | $ | |||||||||
See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
3
FRONTIER GROUP HOLDINGS, INC.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
(unaudited, in millions, except per share data)
| Three Months Ended June 30, | Six Months Ended June 30, | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating revenues: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Passenger | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||
| Other | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total operating revenues | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating expenses: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Aircraft fuel | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Salaries, wages and benefits | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Aircraft rent | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Station operations | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Maintenance, materials and repairs | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sales and marketing | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other operating | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Total operating expenses | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating income (loss) | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other income (expense): | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest expense | ( | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||
| Capitalized interest | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest income and other | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total other income (expense) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Income (loss) before income taxes | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Income tax expense (benefit) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income (loss) | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||
| Earnings (loss) per share: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Basic | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||
| Diluted | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||
See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
4
FRONTIER GROUP HOLDINGS, INC.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)
(unaudited, in millions)
| Three Months Ended June 30, | Six Months Ended June 30, | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income (loss) | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||
Unrealized gains (losses) and amortization from cash flow hedges, net of adjustment for deferred tax benefit/(expense) of less than $( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive income (loss) | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Comprehensive income (loss) | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||
See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
5
FRONTIER GROUP HOLDINGS, INC.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(unaudited, in millions)
| Six Months Ended June 30, | |||||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||||
| Cash flows from operating activities: | |||||||||||
| Net income | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Deferred income taxes | |||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | |||||||||||
| Gains recognized on sale-leaseback transactions | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Stock-based compensation | |||||||||||
| Amortization of cash flow hedges, net of tax | |||||||||||
| Changes in operating assets and liabilities: | |||||||||||
| Accounts receivable, net | ( | ||||||||||
| Supplies and other current assets | |||||||||||
| Aircraft maintenance deposits | ( | ||||||||||
| Other long-term assets | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Accounts payable | |||||||||||
| Air traffic liability | |||||||||||
| Other liabilities | ( | ||||||||||
| Cash used in operating activities | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Cash flows from investing activities: | |||||||||||
| Capital expenditures | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Pre-delivery deposits for flight equipment, net of refunds | ( | ||||||||||
| Other | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Cash used in investing activities | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Cash flows from financing activities: | |||||||||||
| Proceeds from issuance of debt, net of issuance costs | |||||||||||
| Principal repayments on debt | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Proceeds from sale-leaseback transactions | |||||||||||
| Proceeds from the exercise of stock options | |||||||||||
| Tax withholdings on share-based awards | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Cash provided by financing activities | |||||||||||
| Net increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash | |||||||||||
| Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, beginning of period | |||||||||||
| Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, end of period | $ | $ | |||||||||
See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
6
FRONTIER GROUP HOLDINGS, INC.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity
(unaudited, in millions, except share data)
| Common Stock | Additional paid-in capital | Retained earnings | Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Shares | Amount | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance at December 31, 2022 | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income (loss) | — | — | — | ( | — | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Shares issued in connection with vesting of restricted stock units | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Shares withheld to cover employee taxes on vested restricted stock units | ( | — | ( | — | — | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Unrealized loss from cash flows hedges, net of tax | — | — | — | — | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stock option exercises | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stock-based compensation | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance at March 31, 2023 | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income (loss) | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Shares issued in connection with vesting of restricted stock units | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Shares withheld to cover employee taxes on vested restricted stock units | ( | — | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Amortization of cash flow hedges, net of tax | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Unrealized gain from cash flows hedges, net of tax | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stock option exercises | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stock-based compensation | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance at June 30, 2023 | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
7
FRONTIER GROUP HOLDINGS, INC.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity (Continued)
(unaudited, in millions, except share data)
| Common Stock | Additional paid-in capital | Retained earnings | Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Shares | Amount | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance at December 31, 2023 | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income (loss) | — | — | — | ( | — | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Shares issued in connection with vesting of restricted stock units | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Shares withheld to cover employee taxes on vested restricted stock units | ( | — | ( | — | — | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stock option exercises | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stock-based compensation | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance at March 31, 2024 | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income (loss) | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Shares issued in connection with vesting of restricted stock units | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Shares withheld to cover employee taxes on vested restricted stock units | ( | — | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stock option exercises | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stock-based compensation | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance at June 30, 2024 | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
8
FRONTIER GROUP HOLDINGS, INC.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Basis of Presentation
The Company is an ultra low-cost, low-fare airline headquartered in Denver, Colorado that offers flights throughout the United States and to select international destinations in the Americas, serving approximately 100 airports.
The Company is managed as a single business unit that provides air transportation for passengers. Management has concluded there is only one reportable segment.
The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and reflect all normal recurring adjustments which management believes are necessary to fairly present the financial position, results of operations and cash flows of the Company for the respective periods presented. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in the annual financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been condensed or omitted pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) for Form 10-Q. These unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements of the Company and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, which was filed with the SEC on February 20, 2024 (the “2023 Annual Report”).
The interim results reflected in the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for other interim periods or for the full year. The air transportation business is subject to significant seasonal fluctuations and is volatile and highly affected by economic cycles and trends.
Reclassifications
A reclassification of previously reported amounts has been made to conform to the current year’s presentation in the Company’s condensed consolidated statements of operations. The reclassification relates to the removal of transaction and merger-related costs and the reclassification of these costs into other operating expenses. This reclassification did not impact previously reported amounts on the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets, condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss), condensed consolidated statements of cash flows or condensed consolidated statements of stockholders’ equity.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
9
FRONTIER GROUP HOLDINGS, INC.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(unaudited)
2. Revenue Recognition
As of June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the Company’s air traffic liability balance was $325 million and $259 million, respectively, which includes amounts classified within other long-term liabilities on the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets. During the six months ended June 30, 2024, 89 % of the air traffic liability as of December 31, 2023 was recognized as passenger revenue within the Company’s condensed consolidated statements of operations. Of the air traffic liability balances as of June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, $47 million and $60 million, respectively, was related to unearned membership fees.
During the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, the Company recognized $10 million, $18 million, $10 million and $20 million, respectively, of revenue related to expected and actual expiration of customer rights to book future travel in passenger revenues within the Company’s condensed consolidated statements of operations.
Operating revenues are comprised of passenger revenues, which includes fare and non-fare passenger revenues, and other revenues. Disaggregated operating revenues are as follows (in millions):
| Three Months Ended June 30, | Six Months Ended June 30, | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Passenger revenues: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fare | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||
| Non-fare passenger revenues: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Service fees | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Baggage | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Seat selection | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total non-fare passenger revenue | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total passenger revenues | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other revenues | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total operating revenues | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||
The Company is managed as a single business unit that provides air transportation for passengers. Operating revenues by principal geographic region, as defined by the U.S. Department of Transportation (the “DOT”), are as follows (in millions):
| Three Months Ended June 30, | Six Months Ended June 30, | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Domestic | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||
| Latin America | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total operating revenues | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||
The Company attributes operating revenues by geographic region based upon the origin and destination of each passenger flight segment. The Company’s tangible assets consist primarily of flight equipment, which are mobile across geographic markets. Accordingly, assets are not allocated to specific geographic regions.
Frequent Flyer Program
The Company’s FRONTIER Miles program provides frequent flyer travel awards to program members based on accumulated miles. Miles are generally accumulated as a result of travel, purchases using the co-branded credit card and purchases from other participating partners. The Company defers revenue for miles earned by passengers under
See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
10
FRONTIER GROUP HOLDINGS, INC.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(unaudited)
its FRONTIER Miles program based on the equivalent ticket value a passenger receives by redeeming miles for a ticket rather than paying cash.
The Company has a credit card affinity agreement with its credit card partner, Barclays Bank Delaware (“Barclays”), through 2029, which provides for joint marketing, grants certain benefits to co-branded credit cardholders (“Cardholders”) and allows Barclays to market using the Company’s customer database. Cardholders earn miles under the FRONTIER Miles program and the Company sells miles at agreed-upon rates to Barclays and earns fees from Barclays for the acquisition, retention and use of the co-branded credit card by consumers.
3. Other Current Assets
Other current assets consist of the following (in millions):
| June 30, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | ||||||||||
| Supplier incentives | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Prepaid expenses | |||||||||||
| Forgivable loans | |||||||||||
| Income tax and other taxes receivable | |||||||||||
| Other | |||||||||||
| Total other current assets | $ | $ | |||||||||
4. Financial Derivative Instruments and Risk Management
The Company may be exposed to interest rate risk through aircraft and spare engine lease contracts for the time period between agreement of terms and commencement of the lease, when portions of rental payments can be adjusted and become fixed based on the swap rate. As part of its risk management program, from time to time the Company enters into contracts in order to limit the exposure to fluctuations in interest rates. During each of the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, the Company did no no no interest rate hedges outstanding.
Assets associated with the Company’s derivative instruments are presented on a gross basis and include upfront premiums paid. These assets are recorded as a component of other current assets on the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets. There were no
The following table summarizes the effect of interest rate derivative instruments reflected in rent expense within the Company’s condensed consolidated statements of operations (in millions):
| Three Months Ended June 30, | Six Months Ended June 30, | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Derivatives designated as cash flow hedges | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Amortization of cash flow hedge gains (losses), net of tax | $ | $ | ( | $ | $ | ( | |||||||||||||||||
See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
11
FRONTIER GROUP HOLDINGS, INC.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(unaudited)
The following table presents the net of tax impact of the overall effectiveness of derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedging instruments within the Company’s condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss) (in millions):
| Three Months Ended June 30, | Six Months Ended June 30, | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Derivatives designated as cash flow hedges | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Amortization of cash flow hedges, net of tax | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||
| Interest rate derivative contract gains (losses), net of tax | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | ||||||||||||||||||
As of June 30, 2024, $7 million was included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) related to interest rate hedging instruments that is expected to be reclassified into aircraft rent within the Company’s condensed consolidated statements of operations over the aircraft or engine lease term.
5. Other Current Liabilities
Other current liabilities consist of the following (in millions):
| June 30, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | ||||||||||
| Passenger and other taxes and fees payable | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Salaries, wages and benefits | |||||||||||
| Station obligations | |||||||||||
| Aircraft maintenance | |||||||||||
| Fuel liabilities | |||||||||||
| Leased aircraft return costs | |||||||||||
| Other current liabilities | |||||||||||
| Total other current liabilities | $ | $ | |||||||||
6. Debt
The Company’s debt obligations are as follows (in millions):
__________________
| June 30, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | ||||||||||
| Secured debt: | |||||||||||
Pre-delivery credit facility(a) | $ | $ | |||||||||
Building note(b) | |||||||||||
| Unsecured debt: | |||||||||||
Affinity card advance purchase of miles(c) | |||||||||||
PSP promissory notes(d) | |||||||||||
| Total debt | |||||||||||
| Less: current maturities of long-term debt, net | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Less: total debt acquisition costs and other discounts, net | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Long-term debt, net | $ | $ | |||||||||
(a)The Company, through an affiliate, entered into the pre-delivery deposit payment (“PDP”) facility with Citibank, N.A., as facility agent, in December 2014 (as amended from time to time, the “PDP Financing Facility”). The PDP Financing Facility is collateralized by the Company’s purchase agreement for Airbus A320neo family aircraft deliveries (see Note 9) through the term of the facility, which extends through December 2026. The total available capacity of the PDP Financing Facility is $365 million.
See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
12
FRONTIER GROUP HOLDINGS, INC.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(unaudited)
Interest is paid every 90 days based on the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) plus a margin for each individual tranche. The PDP Financing Facility consists of separate loans for each PDP aircraft. Each separate loan matures upon the earlier of (i) delivery of that aircraft to the Company by Airbus, (ii) the date one month following the last day of the scheduled delivery month of such aircraft and (iii) if there is a delay in delivery of aircraft, depending on the cause of the delivery delay, up to six months following the last day of the scheduled delivery month of such aircraft. The PDP Financing Facility will be repaid periodically according to the preceding sentence, with the PDP Financing Facility maturing in December 2026.
(b)Represents a note with a commercial bank related to the Company’s headquarters. In June 2024, the Company’s previous note related to its headquarters reached maturity and a final payment of $16 million was made to cover all unpaid principal, accrued unpaid interest and other amounts due. Subsequent to this final payment, the Company entered into a new $6 million note with a different commercial bank maturing in June 2031. Under the terms of the new outstanding note, the Company is required to make regular monthly payments on principal and unpaid interest. On the maturity date, one final balloon payment will be made to cover all unpaid principal, accrued unpaid interest and other amounts due. Interest on the new note will accrue on the unpaid principal balance at a fixed annual rate of 6.79 %.
(c)The Company entered into an agreement with Barclays in 2003 which, as amended, provides for joint marketing, grants certain benefits to Cardholders and allows Barclays to market using the Company’s customer database, through 2029. Cardholders earn miles under the FRONTIER Miles program and the Company sells miles at agreed-upon rates to Barclays and earns fees from Barclays for the acquisition, retention and use of the co-branded credit card by Cardholders. In addition, Barclays will pre-purchase miles if the Company so requests and meets certain conditions precedent. The pre-purchased miles facility amount available to the Company is to be reset on January 15 of each calendar year through, and including, January 15, 2028, based on the aggregate amount of fees payable by Barclays to the Company on a calendar year basis and subject to certain other conditions, up to an aggregate maximum facility amount of $200 million. The Company pays interest on a monthly basis, which is based on a one-month Effective Federal Funds Rate (“EFFR”) plus a margin. Beginning March 2028, the facility is scheduled to be repaid in 12 equal monthly installments.
(d)As a result of the Company’s participation in the payroll support programs offered by the U.S. Department of the Treasury (the “Treasury”), the Company obtained a series of 10-year , low-interest loans from the Treasury (collectively, the “PSP Promissory Notes”) that are due between 2030 and 2031. The PSP Promissory Notes include an annual interest rate of 1.00 % for the first five years and the SOFR plus 2.00 % in the final five years , with bi-annual interest payments. The loans can be prepaid at par at any time without incurring a penalty.
In connection with the term loan facility entered into with the Treasury on September 28, 2020, which was repaid in full on February 2, 2022, and the PSP Promissory Notes, the Company issued warrants to purchase 3,117,940 shares of FGHI common stock at a weighted-average price of $6.95 per share. These warrants will expire between May 2025 and June 2026. No warrants have been exercised as of June 30, 2024.
Cash payments for interest related to debt were $17 million and $12 million for the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
The Company has caused standby letters of credit and surety bonds to be issued to various airport authorities and vendors that are collateralized by a portion of the Company’s property and equipment and, as of June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the Company did not
As of June 30, 2024, future maturities of debt are payable as follows (in millions):
| Total | |||||
| Remainder of 2024 | $ | ||||
| 2025 | |||||
| 2026 | |||||
| 2027 | |||||
| 2028 | |||||
| Thereafter | |||||
| Total debt principal payments | $ | ||||
The Company continues to monitor covenant compliance with various parties, including, but not limited to, its lenders and credit card processors, and as of June 30, 2024, the Company was in compliance with all of its covenants.
See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
13
FRONTIER GROUP HOLDINGS, INC.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(unaudited)
7. Operating Leases
Aircraft
As of June 30, 2024, the Company leased 148 aircraft with remaining terms ranging from 8 months to 12 years, all of which are under operating leases and are included within operating lease right-of-use assets and operating lease liabilities on the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets. In addition, as of June 30, 2024, the Company leased 33 spare engines which are all under operating leases, with the remaining term ranging from one month to 12 years. As of June 30, 2024, the lease rates for 10 of the engines depend on usage-based metrics which are variable and, as such, these leases are not recorded on the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets as operating lease right-of-use assets or as operating lease liabilities.
During the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, the Company executed sale-leaseback transactions with third-party lessors for six , twelve , one and four new Airbus A320neo family aircraft, respectively. The Company did not two and five direct leases for new Airbus A320neo family aircraft during the three and six months ended June 30, 2023, respectively. Additionally, the Company completed sale-leaseback transactions for two , two , one and two engines during the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. All of the leases from the sale-leaseback transactions are accounted for as operating leases. The Company recognized sale-leaseback gain transactions of $77 million, $148 million, $17 million and $57 million during the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively, which are included as a component of other operating expenses within the Company’s condensed consolidated statements of operations.
Aircraft Rent Expense and Maintenance Obligations
During the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, aircraft rent expense was $147 million, $306 million, $148 million and $279 million, respectively. Aircraft rent expense includes supplemental rent, which is made up of maintenance-related reserves and probable lease return condition obligations. Supplemental rent expense (benefit) for maintenance-related reserves was $(7 2 1 million, $14 million, $22 million and $24 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. As of June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the Company’s total leased aircraft return cost liability was $31 million and $26 million, respectively, which are reflected in other current liabilities and other long-term liabilities within the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets.
During the three months ended June 30, 2024, the Company reached an agreement with one of its aircraft lessors which eliminated requirements to pay maintenance reserves held as collateral in advance of the Company’s required performance of major maintenance activities on its aircraft leases. As a result of the agreement, the lessor disbursed back to the Company previously paid aircraft maintenance deposits of approximately $104 million, resulting in the Company no longer having any aircraft maintenance deposits with any of its lessors as of June 30, 2024.
During the three months ended June 30, 2024, the Company extended the term for certain aircraft operating leases that were slated to expire between 2025 and 2027. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, the Company recorded a benefit of $11 million and $14 million, respectively, to aircraft rent in the Company’s condensed consolidated statements of operations related to previously accrued lease return costs that were variable in nature and associated with the anticipated utilization and condition of the airframes and engines at the original return date. Given the extension of these aircraft operating leases, such variable return costs are no longer probable of occurring.
See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
14
FRONTIER GROUP HOLDINGS, INC.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(unaudited)
During the six months ended June 30, 2023, the Company extended the term for certain aircraft operating leases that were slated to expire in the fourth quarter of 2023. For the six months ended June 30, 2023, the Company recorded an $18 million benefit to aircraft rent in the Company’s condensed consolidated statement of operations related to previously accrued lease return costs that were variable in nature and associated with the anticipated utilization and condition of the airframes and engines at the original return date. Given the extension of these aircraft operating leases, such variable return costs are no longer probable of occurring.
Airport Facilities
The Company’s facility leases are primarily for space at approximately 100 airports, primarily in the United States. These leases are classified as operating leases and reflect the use of airport terminals, ticket counters, office space and maintenance facilities. Generally, this space is leased from government agencies that control the use of the airport. The majority of these leases are short-term in nature and renew on an evergreen basis. For these leases, the contractual term is used as the lease term. As of June 30, 2024, the remaining lease terms vary from one month to 10 years. At the majority of the U.S. airports, the lease rates depend on airport operating costs or use of the facilities and are reset at least annually, and because of the variable nature of the rates, these leases are not recorded on the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets as right-of-use assets and lease liabilities.
Other Ground Property and Equipment
The Company leases certain other assets such as flight training equipment, building space, and various other equipment. Certain of the Company’s leases for other assets are deemed to contain fixed rental payments and, as such, are classified as operating leases and are recorded on the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets as a right-of-use asset and liability. The remaining lease terms ranged from one month to eight years as of June 30, 2024.
Lease Costs
The table below presents certain information related to lease costs for operating leases during the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023 (in millions):
_________________
| Three Months Ended June 30, | Six Months Ended June 30, | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Operating lease cost(a) | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||
Variable lease cost(a) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total lease costs | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||
(a) Expenses are included within aircraft rent, station operations, maintenance, materials and repairs and other operating within the Company’s condensed consolidated statements of operations.
During the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, the Company acquired, through new or modified operating leases, operating lease assets totaling $571 million, $826 million, $107 million and $338 million, respectively, which are included in operating lease right-of-use assets on the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, the Company paid cash of $155 million, $302 million, $130 million and $257 million, respectively, for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities.
See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
15
FRONTIER GROUP HOLDINGS, INC.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(unaudited)
8. Stock-Based Compensation
During the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, the Company recognized $5 million, $9 million, $3 million and $7 million, respectively, in stock-based compensation expense, which is included as a component of salaries, wages and benefits within the Company’s condensed consolidated statements of operations.
Stock Options and Restricted Stock Units
During the six months ended June 30, 2024, no stock options were granted and 758,217 vested stock options were exercised with a weighted-average exercise price of $1.25 per share. As of June 30, 2024, the weighted-average exercise price of outstanding stock options was $5.26 per share.
During the six months ended June 30, 2024, 1,409,000 restricted stock units were issued with a weighted-average grant date fair value of $5.53 per share. During the six months ended June 30, 2024, 990,525 restricted stock units vested, of which 275,866 restricted stock units were withheld to cover employees’ tax withholding obligations, with a weighted-average grant date fair value of $11.79 and $12.68 per share, respectively.
Stockholders’ Equity
As of June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the Company had authorized common stock (voting), common stock (non-voting) and preferred stock of 750,000,000 150,000,000 10,000,000 0.001
9. Commitments and Contingencies
Flight Equipment Commitments
As of June 30, 2024, the Company’s firm aircraft and engine purchase orders consisted of the following:
__________________
| A320neo | A321neo | Total Aircraft(a) | Engines | ||||||||||||||||||||
Year Ending | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Remainder of 2024 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2025 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2026 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2027 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2028 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Thereafter | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||
(a) While the schedule presented reflects the contractual delivery dates as of June 30, 2024, the Company has recently experienced delays in the deliveries of Airbus aircraft which may persist in future periods.
The Company is party to certain aircraft purchase agreements with Airbus (as amended from time to time, the “Airbus Purchase Agreements”) pursuant to which, as of June 30, 2024, the Company had commitments to purchase an aggregate of 49 A320neo and 149 A321neo aircraft, with deliveries expected through 2029 per the latest delivery schedule. In June 2024, the Company provided notice to Airbus as permitted in the Airbus Purchase Agreements that it will not purchase any A321XLR aircraft and will convert 18 A320neo to A321neo aircraft. This conversion has been reflected in the table above.
The Airbus Purchase Agreements also provide for, among other things, varying purchase incentives for each aircraft type (e.g., A320neo versus A321neo), which are allocated proportionally by aircraft type over the remaining
See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
16
FRONTIER GROUP HOLDINGS, INC.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(unaudited)
aircraft to be delivered so that each aircraft’s capitalized cost upon induction would be equal. Therefore, as cash paid for deliveries is greater than the capitalized cost due to the allocation of these purchase incentives, a deferred purchase incentive is recognized, which will ultimately be offset by future deliveries of aircraft with lower cash payments than their associated capitalized cost. As of June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the Company had $88 million and $78 million, respectively, of deferred purchase incentives recognized within other assets on the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets.
As of June 30, 2024, purchase commitments for these aircraft and engines, including estimated amounts for contractual price escalations and PDPs, consisted of the following (in millions):
| Total | |||||
| Year Ending | |||||
| Remainder of 2024 | $ | ||||
| 2025 | |||||
| 2026 | |||||
| 2027 | |||||
| 2028 | |||||
| Thereafter | |||||
| Total | $ | ||||
Litigation and Other Contingencies
The Company is subject to commercial litigation claims and to administrative and regulatory proceedings and reviews that may be asserted or maintained from time to time. During 2023, the DOT sent the Company a request for information to assist in its investigation into whether the Company cared for its customers as required by law during Winter Storm Elliott, which caused significant operational disruptions and spanned from December 21, 2022 to January 2, 2023, including providing adequate customer service assistance, prompt flight status notifications, and proper and timely refunds. The Company is fully cooperating with the DOT request.
The Company regularly evaluates the status of such matters to assess whether a loss is probable and reasonably estimable in determining whether an accrual is appropriate. Furthermore, in determining whether disclosure is appropriate, the Company evaluates each matter to assess if there is at least a reasonable possibility that a loss or additional losses may have been incurred and whether an estimate of possible loss or range of loss can be made.
The ultimate outcome of legal actions is unpredictable and can be subject to significant uncertainties, and it is difficult to determine whether any loss is probable or even possible. Additionally, it is also difficult to estimate the amount of loss and there may be matters for which a loss is probable or reasonably possible but not currently estimable. Thus, actual losses may be in excess of any recorded liability or the range of reasonably possible loss. The Company believes the ultimate outcome of any potential lawsuits, proceedings and reviews will likely not, individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on its condensed consolidated financial position, liquidity or results of operations and that the Company’s current accruals cover matters where loss is deemed probable and can be reasonably estimated.
In situations where the Company may be a plaintiff and receives, or expects to receive, a favorable ruling related to litigation, the Company follows the accounting standards codification guidance for gain contingencies. The Company does not recognize a gain contingency within its condensed consolidated financial statements prior to the settlement of the underlying events or contingencies associated with the gain contingency. As a result, the consideration related to a gain contingency is recorded in the condensed consolidated financial statements during the period in which all underlying events or contingencies are resolved and the gain is realized. During the three months ended June 30, 2024, the Company received a favorable ruling in the U.S District Court for the Southern District of New York regarding a breach of contract action against a former aircraft lessor in which the Company was awarded
See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
17
FRONTIER GROUP HOLDINGS, INC.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(unaudited)
$50 million in damages plus post-judgement interest. Given that the judgment has been appealed to the Unites States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, the Company has not recorded any amounts within the condensed consolidated financial statements as of June 30, 2024.
Employees
The Company has seven union-represented employee groups that together represented approximately 88 % of all employees as of June 30, 2024. The table below sets forth the Company’s employee groups and status of the collective bargaining agreements as of June 30, 2024:
| Percentage of Workforce | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Employee Group | Representative | Amendable Date(a) | June 30, 2024 | |||||||||||||||||
| Pilots | Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) | January 2024(b) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Flight Attendants | Association of Flight Attendants (AFA-CWA) | May 2024(c) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Aircraft Technicians | International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT) | May 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Aircraft Appearance Agents | IBT | October 2023(d) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Dispatchers | Transport Workers Union (TWU) | August 2028 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Material Specialists | IBT | March 2022(d) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Maintenance Controllers | IBT | October 2023(d) | < | |||||||||||||||||
__________________
(a) Subject to standard early opener provisions.
(b) ALPA filed for mediation through the National Mediation Board in January 2024, and the parties are meeting regularly as part of the mediation process.
(c) In November 2023, AFA-CWA exercised their contractual right to open negotiations early. Negotiations are currently ongoing.
(d) The Company’s collective bargaining agreements with its aircraft appearance agents, material specialists, and maintenance controllers, each represented by IBT, were still amendable as of June 30, 2024, and pursuant to the Railway Labor Act the parties continue to be bound by the existing agreements as negotiations continue.
The Company is self-insured for health care claims, subject to a stop-loss policy, for eligible participating employees and qualified dependent medical and dental claims, subject to deductibles and limitations. The Company’s liabilities for claims incurred but not reported are determined based on an estimate of the ultimate aggregate liability for claims incurred. The estimate is calculated from actual claim rates and adjusted periodically as necessary. The Company had accrued $6 million and $5 million for health care claims estimated to be incurred but not yet paid, as of June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively, which are included as a component of other current liabilities on the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets.
General Indemnifications
The Company has various leases with respect to real property as well as various agreements among airlines relating to fuel consortia or fuel farms at airports. Under some of these contracts, the Company is party to joint and several liability regarding environmental damages. Under others, where the Company is a member of an LLC or other entity that contracts directly with the airport operator, liabilities are borne through the fuel consortia structure.
The Company’s aircraft, services, equipment lease and sale and financing agreements typically contain provisions requiring the Company, as the lessee, obligor or recipient of services, to indemnify the other parties to those agreements, including certain of those parties’ related persons, against virtually any liabilities that might arise from the use or operation of the aircraft or such other equipment. The Company believes that its insurance would cover most of its exposure to liabilities and related indemnities associated with the commercial real estate leases and aircraft, services, equipment lease and sale and financing agreements described above.
See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
18
FRONTIER GROUP HOLDINGS, INC.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(unaudited)
Certain of the Company’s aircraft and other financing transactions include provisions that require payments to preserve an expected economic return to the lenders if that economic return is diminished due to certain changes in law or regulations. In certain of these financing transactions and other agreements, the Company also bears the risk of certain changes in tax laws that would subject payments to non-U.S. entities to withholding taxes.
Certain of these indemnities survive the length of the related financing or lease. The Company cannot reasonably estimate the potential future payments under the indemnities and related provisions described above because it cannot predict (i) when and under what circumstances these provisions may be triggered, and (ii) the amount that would be payable if the provisions were triggered because the amounts would be based on facts and circumstances existing at such time.
10. Earnings (Loss) per Share
Basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share are computed pursuant to the two-class method. Under the two-class method, the Company attributes net income to common stock and other participating rights (including those with vested share-based awards). Basic earnings per share is calculated by taking net income, less earnings allocated to participating rights, divided by the basic weighted-average common stock outstanding. In accordance with the two-class method, diluted earnings per share is calculated using the more dilutive impact of the treasury-stock method or from reducing net income for the earnings allocated to participating rights.
The following table sets forth the computation of earnings (loss) per share on a basic and diluted basis pursuant to the two-class method for the periods indicated (in millions, except for share and per share data):
| Three Months Ended June 30, | Six Months Ended June 30, | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Basic: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income (loss) | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||
| Less: net income attributable to participating rights | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||
| Weighted-average common shares outstanding, basic | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Earnings (loss) per share, basic | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||
| Diluted: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income (loss) | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||
| Less: net income attributable to participating rights | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||
| Weighted-average common shares outstanding, basic | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Effect of dilutive potential common shares | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weighted-average common shares outstanding, diluted | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Earnings (loss) per share, diluted | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||
Approximately 5,007,745 and 5,154,621 shares were excluded from the computation of diluted weighted-average shares for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, respectively, due to anti-dilutive effects. Approximately 2,886,151 and 2,264,024 shares were excluded from the computation of diluted weighted-average shares for the three and six months ended 2023, respectively, due to anti-dilutive effects.
See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
19
FRONTIER GROUP HOLDINGS, INC.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(unaudited)
11. Income Taxes
The Company’s provision for income taxes during interim reporting periods has historically been calculated by applying an estimate of the annual effective tax rate for the full fiscal year to pretax income (loss) excluding unusual or infrequently occurring discrete items for the reporting period. When a reliable estimate cannot be made, the Company computes the interim provision based on the actual effective tax rate for the year-to-date period by applying the discrete method. The Company determined that given small changes in estimated ordinary income would result in significant variation in the estimated annual effective tax rate for the current year and the resulting uncertainty of the impact on the valuation allowance, the discrete method represents the best estimate of the actual effective tax rate and the Company has calculated its effective tax using the discrete method for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024. The Company’s effective tax rate for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 was an expense of 3.1 % and 37.5 %, respectively, on pre-tax income, compared to an expense of 19.3 % and 18.3 %, respectively, on pre-tax income for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023. The effective tax rate for the three months ended June 30, 2024 was lower than the statutory rate primarily related to a decrease in the Company’s valuation allowance relating to U.S. federal and state net operating losses. The effective tax rate for the six months ended June 30, 2024 was higher than the statutory rate primarily due to the non-deductibility of certain executive compensation costs and other employee benefits, as well as shortfalls related to the vesting and exercise of the Company’s share-based awards offset by a decrease in the valuation allowance. The Company’s effective tax rate for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023 was lower than the statutory rate primarily due to excess tax benefits associated with the Company’s stock-based compensation arrangements.
The Company accounts for income taxes using the asset and liability method. Deferred income taxes are recognized for the tax consequences of temporary differences between the tax and financial statement reporting bases of assets and liabilities. Quarterly, the Company assesses whether it is more likely than not that sufficient taxable income will be generated to realize deferred income tax assets, and a valuation allowance is recorded when it is more likely than not that some portion, or all, of the Company’s deferred tax assets, will not be realized. The Company considers sources of taxable income from prior period carryback periods, future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences, tax planning strategies and future projected taxable income when assessing the future realization of deferred tax assets.
12. Fair Value Measurements
Under ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, disclosures relating to how fair value is determined for assets and liabilities are required, and a hierarchy for which these assets and liabilities must be grouped is established, based on significant levels of inputs, as follows:
Level 1—Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
Level 2—Observable inputs other than Level 1 prices such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.
See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
20
FRONTIER GROUP HOLDINGS, INC.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(unaudited)
Level 3—Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities.
Fair value is defined as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. The Company utilizes several valuation techniques in order to assess the fair value of its financial assets and liabilities.
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash are comprised of liquid money market funds, time deposits and cash, and are categorized as Level 1 instruments. The Company maintains cash with various high-quality financial institutions and holds restricted cash to secure medical claims paid. Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash are carried at cost, which management believes approximates fair value. As of June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the Company had less than $1
Debt
The estimated fair value of the Company’s debt agreements has been determined to be Level 3 measurement, as certain inputs used to determine the fair value of these agreements are unobservable. The Company utilizes a discounted cash flow method to estimate the fair value of the Level 3 debt.
The carrying amounts and estimated fair values of the Company’s debt are as follows (in millions):
| June 30, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Carrying Value | Estimated Fair Value | Carrying Value | Estimated Fair Value | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Secured debt: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pre-delivery credit facility | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||
| Building note | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Unsecured debt: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Affinity card advance purchase of miles | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| PSP promissory notes | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total debt | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||
The tables below present disclosures about the fair value of assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis on the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets (in millions):
| Fair Value Measurements as of June 30, 2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Description | Balance Sheet Classification | Total | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | Cash and cash equivalents | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fair Value Measurements as of December 31, 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Description | Balance Sheet Classification | Total | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | Cash and cash equivalents | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Company had no transfers of assets or liabilities between fair value hierarchy levels between December 31, 2023 and June 30, 2024.
See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
21
FRONTIER GROUP HOLDINGS, INC.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(unaudited)
13. Related Parties
Management Services
Indigo Partners LLC (“Indigo Partners”) managed an investment fund, Indigo Frontier Holdings Company, LLC (“Indigo Frontier”), that was the controlling stockholder of the Company until April 2024, when Indigo Frontier distributed all of its shares held to its members on a pro rata basis, in-kind and without consideration. Certain affiliates of Indigo Partners continue to be substantial stockholders of the Company. Indigo Partners continues to provide management services to the Company, for which the Company is assessed a quarterly fee. The Company recorded $1
Codeshare Arrangement
The Company entered into a codeshare agreement with Controladora Vuela Compañía de Aviación, S.A.B. de C.V. (an airline based in Mexico doing business as “Volaris”) during 2018. Two of the Company’s directors are members of the board of directors of Volaris and one is an honorary director.
In August 2018, the Company and Volaris began operating scheduled codeshare flights. Each party bears its own costs and expenses of performance under the codeshare agreement. The codeshare agreement is subject to automatic renewals and may be terminated by either party at any time upon the satisfaction of certain conditions.
14. Subsequent Events
Flight Equipment Commitments
In August 2024, the Company and Airbus entered into a binding term sheet, subject to execution of customary closing documentation, to, among other things, update the remaining firm aircraft purchase order delivery schedule, which defers previously scheduled firm aircraft delivery dates from 2025 through 2028 to later years. These changes are reflected in the table below and reflect scheduled aircraft received in July 2024:
| A320neo | A321neo | Total Aircraft | Engines | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Year Ending | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Remainder of 2024 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2025 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2026 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2027 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2028 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Thereafter | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||
See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
22
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
General
The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our condensed consolidated financial statements and the related notes included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, as well as Part II, Item 7. “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and Part II, Item 8. “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, which was filed with the SEC on February 20, 2024 (the “2023 Annual Report”). This discussion contains forward-looking statements based upon current plans, expectations and beliefs involving risks and uncertainties. Our actual results may differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including those set forth in the “Risk Factors” section of our 2023 Annual Report and other factors set forth in other parts of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and our other reports and documents filed with the SEC from time to time.
Overview
Frontier Airlines, Inc. (“Frontier”) is an ultra low-cost carrier whose business strategy is focused on Low Fares Done Right. We are headquartered in Denver, Colorado and offer flights throughout the United States and to select international destinations in the Americas. Our unique strategy is underpinned by our low-cost structure and superior low-fare brand.
The following table provides select financial and operational information for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively (in millions):
| Three Months Ended June 30, | Six Months Ended June 30, | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total operating revenues | $ | 973 | $ | 967 | $ | 1,838 | $ | 1,815 | |||||||||||||||
| Total operating expenses | $ | 948 | $ | 888 | $ | 1,844 | $ | 1,761 | |||||||||||||||
| Income (loss) before income taxes | $ | 32 | $ | 88 | $ | 8 | $ | 71 | |||||||||||||||
| Available seat miles (“ASMs”) | 10,552 | 9,337 | 19,998 | 18,112 | |||||||||||||||||||
Total operating revenues for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 totaled $973 million and $1,838 million, respectively, an increase of 1% compared to each of the three and six months ended June 30, 2023, respectively. This was primarily due to an increase in capacity, as measured by ASMs, partially offset by a reduction in revenue per available seat mile (“RASM”) for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 as compared to the corresponding prior year periods.
Total operating expenses during the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 totaled $948 million and $1,844 million, respectively, resulting in a cost per available seat mile (“CASM”) of 8.98¢ and 9.22¢, compared to 9.51¢ and 9.72¢ for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023, respectively. Fuel expense was 18% and 3% higher, respectively, as compared to the corresponding prior year periods. The $44 million increase in fuel expense for the three months ended June 30, 2024 as compared to the corresponding prior year period was primarily driven by a 13% increase in fuel gallons consumed as a result of our 13% capacity increase and a 6% increase in fuel cost per gallon. The $15 million increase in fuel expense for the six months ended June 30, 2024 as compared to the corresponding prior year period was primarily driven by a 9% increase in fuel gallons consumed as a result of our 10% increase in capacity partially offset by a 6% reduction in fuel cost per gallon.
Our non-fuel expenses increased by 2% and 6% during the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, respectively, as compared to the corresponding prior year periods, driven primarily by higher capacity and larger fleet size and the resulting increase in operations during the same periods partially offset by increased sale-leaseback gains, lower lease return costs and lower maintenance, materials and repairs costs. While non-fuel expenses
See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
23
increased by $16 million and $68 million, CASM (excluding fuel), a non-GAAP measure, decreased by 10% and 5% to 6.24¢ and 6.46¢ for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, respectively. The decrease in CASM (excluding fuel) on increased ASMs of 13% and 10% for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, respectively, as compared to the corresponding prior year periods, was due to an increase in sale-leaseback gains compared to the corresponding prior year periods as well as a decrease in aircraft rent expense due to lease extension events and a decrease in maintenance, materials and repairs primarily due to lower contract labor costs partially offset by an increase in station costs due to a lower stage length on higher departures. Additionally, for the six months ended June 30, 2024, CASM (excluding fuel) was unfavorably impacted by higher crew costs including other benefits and increased salaried support staff expenses. For the reconciliation to corresponding GAAP measures, see “Results of Operations—Reconciliation of CASM to CASM (excluding fuel), Adjusted CASM (excluding fuel), Adjusted CASM, Adjusted CASM including net interest and CASM including net interest.”
We generated net income of $31 million and $5 million during the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, respectively, compared to net income of $71 million and $58 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023, respectively.
As of June 30, 2024, our total available liquidity was $658 million, made up of cash and cash equivalents.
Results of Operations
Three Months Ended June 30, 2024 Compared to Three Months Ended June 30, 2023
Operating Revenues
| Three Months Ended June 30, | Change | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating revenues ($ in millions): | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Passenger | $ | 950 | $ | 945 | $ | 5 | 1 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Other | 23 | 22 | 1 | 5 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total operating revenues | $ | 973 | $ | 967 | $ | 6 | 1 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Operating statistics: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| ASMs (millions) | 10,552 | 9,337 | 1,215 | 13 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
| Revenue passenger miles (“RPMs”) (millions) | 8,238 | 7,964 | 274 | 3 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
| Average stage length (miles) | 899 | 1,038 | (139) | (13) | % | ||||||||||||||||||
| Load factor | 78.1 | % | 85.3 | % | (7.2) pts | N/A | |||||||||||||||||
| RASM (¢) | 9.21 | 10.35 | (1.14) | (11) | % | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total ancillary revenue per passenger ($) | 69.34 | 79.64 | (10.30) | (13) | % | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total revenue per passenger ($) | 109.25 | 127.23 | (17.98) | (14) | % | ||||||||||||||||||
| Passengers (thousands) | 8,899 | 7,596 | 1,303 | 17 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
Total operating revenue increased $6 million, or 1%, during the three months ended June 30, 2024 as compared to the three months ended June 30, 2023. While capacity grew by 13%, as measured by ASMs, revenue was unfavorably impacted by the 11% reduction in RASM due to a 14% decline in total revenue per passenger as well as a 7.2 point reduction in load factor. Revenue per passenger reflected weak domestic pricing as seat growth outpaced seasonal demand and the above-average concentration of capacity allocated to new markets which also led to lower load factors. The increase in capacity was driven by an 18% increase in average aircraft in service during the three months ended June 30, 2024, as compared to the three months ended June 30, 2023, partially offset by a 13% decrease in average stage length to 899 miles compared to 1,038 miles for the corresponding prior year period.
See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
24
Operating Expenses
__________________
| Three Months Ended June 30, | Change | Cost per ASM | Change | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Operating expenses ($ in millions):(a) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Aircraft fuel | $ | 288 | $ | 244 | $ | 44 | 18 | % | 2.74 | ¢ | 2.61 | ¢ | 5 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Salaries, wages and benefits | 244 | 211 | 33 | 16 | % | 2.31 | 2.26 | 2 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Aircraft rent | 147 | 148 | (1) | (1) | % | 1.39 | 1.59 | (13) | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Station operations | 163 | 124 | 39 | 31 | % | 1.54 | 1.33 | 16 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Maintenance, materials and repairs | 42 | 52 | (10) | (19) | % | 0.40 | 0.56 | (29) | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sales and marketing | 47 | 44 | 3 | 7 | % | 0.45 | 0.47 | (4) | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 18 | 12 | 6 | 50 | % | 0.17 | 0.13 | 31 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other operating | (1) | 53 | (54) | N/M | (0.02) | 0.56 | N/M | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total operating expenses | $ | 948 | $ | 888 | $ | 60 | 7 | % | 8.98 | ¢ | 9.51 | ¢ | (6) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating statistics: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ASMs (millions) | 10,552 | 9,337 | 1,215 | 13 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Average stage length (miles) | 899 | 1,038 | (139) | (13) | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Passengers (thousands) | 8,899 | 7,596 | 1,303 | 17 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Departures | 57,176 | 45,408 | 11,768 | 26 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
CASM (excluding fuel) (¢) (b) | 6.24 | 6.90 | (0.66) | (10) | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fuel cost per gallon ($) | 2.84 | 2.69 | 0.15 | 6 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fuel gallons consumed (thousands) | 101,690 | 90,379 | 11,311 | 13 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
N/M = Not meaningful
(a)Cost per ASM figures may not recalculate due to rounding.
(b)This metric is not calculated in accordance with GAAP. See the reconciliation to the corresponding GAAP measure provided below.
See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
25
Reconciliation of CASM to CASM (excluding fuel), Adjusted CASM (excluding fuel), Adjusted CASM, Adjusted CASM including net interest and CASM including net interest
| Three Months Ended June 30, | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ($ in millions) | Per ASM (¢) | ($ in millions) | Per ASM (¢) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Non-GAAP financial data:(a) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| CASM | 8.98 | 9.51 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Aircraft fuel | (288) | (2.74) | (244) | (2.61) | |||||||||||||||||||
CASM (excluding fuel)(b) | 6.24 | 6.90 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Adjusted CASM (excluding fuel)(b) | 6.24 | 6.90 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Aircraft fuel | 288 | 2.74 | 244 | 2.61 | |||||||||||||||||||
Adjusted CASM(c) | 8.98 | 9.51 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Net interest expense (income) | (7) | (0.08) | (9) | (0.10) | |||||||||||||||||||
Adjusted CASM + net interest(d) | 8.90 | 9.41 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| CASM | 8.98 | 9.51 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Net interest expense (income) | (7) | (0.08) | (9) | (0.10) | |||||||||||||||||||
CASM + net interest(d) | 8.90 | 9.41 | |||||||||||||||||||||
__________________
(a)Cost per ASM figures may not recalculate due to rounding. During the three months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, there were no non-GAAP adjustments.
(b)CASM (excluding fuel) and Adjusted CASM (excluding fuel) are included as supplemental disclosures because we believe that excluding aircraft fuel is useful to investors as it provides an additional measure of management’s performance excluding the effects of a significant cost item over which management has limited influence. The price of fuel, over which we have limited control, impacts the comparability of period-to-period financial performance, and excluding the price of fuel allows management an additional tool to understand and analyze our non-fuel costs and core operating performance, and increases comparability with other airlines that also provide a similar metric. CASM (excluding fuel) and Adjusted CASM (excluding fuel) are not determined in accordance with GAAP and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for performance measures calculated in accordance with GAAP.
(c)Adjusted CASM is included as supplemental disclosure because we believe it is a useful metric to properly compare our cost management and performance to other peers, as derivations of Adjusted CASM are well-recognized performance measurements in the airline industry that are frequently used by our management, as well as by investors, securities analysts and other interested parties in comparing the operating performance of companies in the airline industry. Additionally, we believe this metric is useful because it removes certain items that may not be indicative of base operating performance or future results. Adjusted CASM is not determined in accordance with GAAP, may not be comparable across all carriers and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for performance measures calculated in accordance with GAAP.
(d)Adjusted CASM including net interest and CASM including net interest are included as supplemental disclosures because we believe they are useful metrics to properly compare our cost management and performance to other peers that may have different capital structures and financing strategies, particularly as it relates to financing primary operating assets such as aircraft and engines. Additionally, we believe these metrics are useful because they remove certain items that may not be indicative of base operating performance or future results. Adjusted CASM including net interest and CASM including net interest are not determined in accordance with GAAP, may not be comparable across all carriers and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for performance measures calculated in accordance with GAAP.
Aircraft Fuel. Aircraft fuel expense increased by $44 million, or 18%, during the three months ended June 30, 2024, as compared to the three months ended June 30, 2023. The increase was primarily due to an increase of 13% in fuel gallons consumed due to higher capacity and a 6% growth in fuel cost per gallon.
Salaries, Wages and Benefits. Salaries, wages and benefits expense increased by $33 million, or 16%, during the three months ended June 30, 2024, as compared to the three months ended June 30, 2023. The increase was
See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
26
primarily due to higher crew costs, driven by elevated credit hours on higher capacity and other benefit costs, as well as increased headcount of salaried support staff, as compared to the corresponding prior year period.
Aircraft Rent. Aircraft rent expense decreased by $1 million, or 1%, during the three months ended June 30, 2024, as compared to the three months ended June 30, 2023, primarily due a decrease in lease return costs caused by aircraft lease extension events that occurred in the current period as well as the ongoing benefit from extensions in prior periods, which was mostly offset by a larger fleet.
Station Operations. Station operations expense increased by $39 million, or 31%, during the three months ended June 30, 2024, as compared to the three months ended June 30, 2023, primarily due to increased airport operations as a result of the 26% increase in departures and 17% increase in passengers.
Maintenance, Materials and Repairs. Maintenance, materials and repair expense decreased by $10 million, or 19%, during the three months ended June 30, 2024, as compared to the three months ended June 30, 2023. This decrease was primarily due to lower contract labor costs, partially offset by the 18% increase in average aircraft in service, resulting in higher aircraft maintenance costs.
Sales and Marketing. Sales and marketing expense increased by $3 million, or 7%, during the three months ended June 30, 2024, as compared to the three months ended June 30, 2023, primarily due an increase in customer reservation system fees and paid media advertising. The following table presents our distribution channel mix:
| Three Months Ended June 30, | Change | ||||||||||||||||
| Distribution Channel | 2024 | 2023 | |||||||||||||||
Our website, mobile app and other direct channels | 72 | % | 71 | % | 1 | pts | |||||||||||
Third-party channels | 28 | % | 29 | % | (1) | pts | |||||||||||
Depreciation and Amortization. Depreciation and amortization expense increased by $6 million, or 50%, during the three months ended June 30, 2024, as compared to the three months ended June 30, 2023, primarily due to an increase in capitalized maintenance depreciation due to the increase in fleet size as well as a gain on asset disposal during the comparable prior year period.
Other Operating. Other operating resulted in a net gain of $1 million during the three months ended June 30, 2024, as compared to an expense of $53 million during the three months ended June 30, 2023. This movement was primarily driven by the increase in sale-leaseback gains compared to the corresponding prior year period, as a result of six aircraft inductions and two engine inductions subject to sale-leaseback transactions in the current period compared to one aircraft induction and one engine induction subject to sale-leaseback transactions in the corresponding prior year period.
Other Income (Expense). Other income decreased by $2 million, or 22%, during the three months ended June 30, 2024, as compared the three months ended June 30, 2023. The decrease was primarily due to lower interest income from lower balances in interest-bearing cash accounts and increased interest expense, driven mainly by higher interest rates and higher principal balances on our debt, partially offset by greater capitalized interest due to higher interest rates.
Income Taxes. Our effective tax rate for the three months ended June 30, 2024 was an expense of 3.1%, compared to an expense of 19.3% for the three months ended June 30, 2023, on pre-tax net income for both periods. The primary difference between the effective tax rate and the federal statutory rate is related to a decrease in our valuation allowance relating to federal and state net operating losses. Please refer to “Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements—11. Income Taxes” for additional information.
See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
27
Results of Operations
Six Months Ended June 30, 2024 Compared to Six Months Ended June 30, 2023
Operating Revenues
| Six Months Ended June 30, | Change | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating revenues ($ in millions): | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Passenger | $ | 1,795 | $ | 1,775 | $ | 20 | 1 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Other | 43 | 40 | 3 | 8 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total operating revenues | $ | 1,838 | $ | 1,815 | $ | 23 | 1 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Operating statistics: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| ASMs (millions) | 19,998 | 18,112 | 1,886 | 10 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
| RPMs (millions) | 15,107 | 15,226 | (119) | (1) | % | ||||||||||||||||||
| Average stage length (miles) | 925 | 1,045 | (120) | (11) | % | ||||||||||||||||||
| Load factor | 75.5% | 84.1% | (8.6) pts | N/A | |||||||||||||||||||
| RASM (¢) | 9.19 | 10.02 | (0.83) | (8) | % | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total ancillary revenue per passenger ($) | 72.86 | 79.78 | (6.92) | (9) | % | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total revenue per passenger ($) | 115.54 | 125.83 | (10.29) | (8) | % | ||||||||||||||||||
| Passengers (thousands) | 15,904 | 14,422 | 1,482 | 10 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
Total operating revenue increased $23 million, or 1%, during the six months ended June 30, 2024 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2023. While capacity grew by 10%, as measured by ASMs, revenue was unfavorably impacted by the 8% reduction in RASM due to decreased total revenue per passenger as well as lower load factor. Revenue performance reflected weak domestic industry pricing and the above-average concentration of capacity allocated to new markets. The increase in capacity was driven by a 16% increase in average aircraft in service during the six months ended June 30, 2024, as compared to the six months ended June 30, 2023, partially offset by an 11% decrease in average stage length to 925 miles compared to 1,045 miles for the corresponding prior year period as well as a 4% decrease in average daily aircraft utilization to 10.9 hours per day compared to 11.4 hours per day for the corresponding prior year period.
See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
28
Operating Expenses
| Six Months Ended June 30, | Change | Cost per ASM | Change | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Operating expenses ($ in millions):(a) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Aircraft fuel | $ | 551 | $ | 536 | $ | 15 | 3 | % | 2.76 | ¢ | 2.96 | ¢ | (7) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Salaries, wages and benefits | 477 | 414 | 63 | 15 | % | 2.39 | 2.29 | 4 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Aircraft rent | 306 | 279 | 27 | 10 | % | 1.53 | 1.54 | (1) | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Station operations | 300 | 248 | 52 | 21 | % | 1.50 | 1.37 | 9 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Maintenance, materials and repairs | 91 | 97 | (6) | (6) | % | 0.46 | 0.54 | (15) | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sales and marketing | 87 | 84 | 3 | 4 | % | 0.44 | 0.46 | (4) | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 34 | 23 | 11 | 48 | % | 0.17 | 0.13 | 31 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other operating | (2) | 80 | (82) | N/M | (0.03) | 0.43 | N/M | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total operating expenses | $ | 1,844 | $ | 1,761 | $ | 83 | 5 | % | 9.22 | ¢ | 9.72 | ¢ | (5) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating statistics: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ASMs (millions) | 19,998 | 18,112 | 1,886 | 10 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Average stage length (miles) | 925 | 1,045 | (120) | (11) | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Passengers (thousands) | 15,904 | 14,422 | 1,482 | 10 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Departures | 105,842 | 88,120 | 17,722 | 20 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
CASM (excluding fuel) (¢) (b) | 6.46 | 6.77 | (0.31) | (5) | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Adjusted CASM (excluding fuel) (¢) (b) | 6.46 | 6.76 | (0.30) | (4) | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fuel cost per gallon ($) | 2.88 | 3.06 | (0.18) | (6) | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fuel gallons consumed (thousands) | 191,347 | 174,966 | 16,381 | 9 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
__________________
N/M = Not meaningful
(a)Cost per ASM figures may not recalculate due to rounding.
(b)These metrics are not calculated in accordance with GAAP. See the reconciliation to corresponding GAAP measures provided below.
See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
29
Reconciliation of CASM to CASM (excluding fuel), Adjusted CASM (excluding fuel), Adjusted CASM, Adjusted CASM including net interest and CASM including net interest
__________________
| Six Months Ended June 30, | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ($ in millions) | Per ASM (¢) | ($ in millions) | Per ASM (¢) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Non-GAAP financial data:(a) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| CASM | 9.22 | 9.72 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Aircraft fuel | (551) | (2.76) | (536) | (2.95) | |||||||||||||||||||
CASM (excluding fuel)(b) | 6.46 | 6.77 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Transaction and merger-related costs(c) | — | — | (1) | (0.01) | |||||||||||||||||||
Adjusted CASM (excluding fuel)(b) | 6.46 | 6.76 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Aircraft fuel | 551 | 2.76 | 536 | 2.95 | |||||||||||||||||||
Adjusted CASM(d) | 9.22 | 9.71 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Net interest expense (income) | (14) | (0.07) | (17) | (0.09) | |||||||||||||||||||
Adjusted CASM + net interest(e) | 9.15 | 9.62 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| CASM | 9.22 | 9.72 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Net interest expense (income) | (14) | (0.07) | (17) | (0.09) | |||||||||||||||||||
CASM + net interest(e) | 9.15 | 9.63 | |||||||||||||||||||||
(a)Cost per ASM figures may not recalculate due to rounding. During the six months ended June 30, 2024, there were no non-GAAP adjustments.
(b)CASM (excluding fuel) and Adjusted CASM (excluding fuel) are included as supplemental disclosures because we believe that excluding aircraft fuel is useful to investors as it provides an additional measure of management’s performance excluding the effects of a significant cost item over which management has limited influence. The price of fuel, over which we have limited control, impacts the comparability of period-to-period financial performance, and excluding the price of fuel allows management an additional tool to understand and analyze our non-fuel costs and core operating performance, and increases comparability with other airlines that also provide a similar metric. CASM (excluding fuel) and Adjusted CASM (excluding fuel) are not determined in accordance with GAAP and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for performance measures calculated in accordance with GAAP.
(c)Represents $1 million in employee retention costs incurred in connection with the terminated merger with Spirit Airlines, Inc., for the six months ended June 30, 2023.
(d)Adjusted CASM is included as supplemental disclosure because we believe it is a useful metric to properly compare our cost management and performance to other peers, as derivations of Adjusted CASM are well-recognized performance measurements in the airline industry that are frequently used by our management, as well as by investors, securities analysts and other interested parties in comparing the operating performance of companies in the airline industry. Additionally, we believe this metric is useful because it removes certain items that may not be indicative of base operating performance or future results. Adjusted CASM is not determined in accordance with GAAP, may not be comparable across all carriers and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for performance measures calculated in accordance with GAAP.
(e)Adjusted CASM including net interest and CASM including net interest are included as supplemental disclosures because we believe they are useful metrics to properly compare our cost management and performance to other peers that may have different capital structures and financing strategies, particularly as it relates to financing primary operating assets such as aircraft and engines. Additionally, we believe these metrics are useful because they remove certain items that may not be indicative of base operating performance or future results. Adjusted CASM including net interest and CASM including net interest are not determined in accordance with GAAP, may not be comparable across all carriers and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for performance measures calculated in accordance with GAAP.
Aircraft Fuel. Aircraft fuel expense increased by $15 million, or 3%, during the six months ended June 30, 2024, as compared to the six months ended June 30, 2023. The increase was primarily due to a 9% increase in fuel gallons consumed, driven by higher capacity, partially offset by a 6% reduction in fuel cost per gallon.
Salaries, Wages and Benefits. Salaries, wages and benefits expense increased by $63 million, or 15%, during the six months ended June 30, 2024, as compared to the six months ended June 30, 2023. The increase was due to higher crew costs, driven primarily by elevated credit hours on higher capacity, an increased headcount of salaried
See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
30
support staff and increased other benefits for the six months ended June 30, 2024, as compared to the corresponding prior year period.
Aircraft Rent. Aircraft rent expense increased by $27 million, or 10%, during the six months ended June 30, 2024, as compared to the six months ended June 30, 2023, primarily due to a larger fleet, partially offset by a decrease in lease return costs.
Station Operations. Station operations expense increased by $52 million, or 21%, during the six months ended June 30, 2024, as compared to the six months ended June 30, 2023, primarily due to increased airport operations as a result of the 20% increase in departures and 10% increase in passengers, partially offset by an increase in airport revenue sharing arrangements.
Maintenance, Materials and Repairs. Maintenance, materials and repair expense decreased by $6 million, or 6%, during the six months ended June 30, 2024, as compared to the six months ended June 30, 2023. This was primarily due to lower contract labor costs, partially offset by a 16% increase in average aircraft in service, which resulted in higher aircraft maintenance costs.
Sales and Marketing. Sales and marketing expense increased by $3 million, or 4%, during the six months ended June 30, 2024, as compared to the six months ended June 30, 2023, primarily due to an increase in customer reservation system fees and paid media advertising, partially offset by less contract labor costs. The following table presents our distribution channel mix:
| Six Months Ended June 30, | Change | ||||||||||||||||
| Distribution Channel | 2024 | 2023 | |||||||||||||||
Our website, mobile app and other direct channels | 72 | % | 71 | % | 1 | pt | |||||||||||
Third-party channels | 28 | % | 29 | % | (1) | pt | |||||||||||
Depreciation and Amortization. Depreciation and amortization expense increased by $11 million, or 48%, during the six months ended June 30, 2024, as compared to the six months ended June 30, 2023, primarily due to an increase in capitalized maintenance depreciation due to our growing fleet.
Other Operating. Other operating resulted in a net gain of $2 million during the six months ended June 30, 2024, compared to an expense of $80 million during the six months ended June 30, 2023. This movement was primarily driven by the increase in sale-leaseback gains compared to the corresponding prior year period as a result of twelve aircraft inductions and two engine inductions subject to sale-leaseback transactions in the current period compared to four aircraft inductions and two engine inductions subject to sale-leaseback transactions in the corresponding prior year period.
Other Income (Expense). Other income decreased by $3 million or 18% during the six months ended June 30, 2024, as compared the six months ended June 30, 2023. The decrease was primarily due to increased interest expense, driven mainly by higher interest rates and higher principal balances on our debt as well as lower interest income from lower balances in interest-bearing cash accounts, partially offset by greater capitalized interest due to higher interest rates.
Income Taxes. Our effective tax rate for the six months ended June 30, 2024 was an expense of 37.5%, compared to an expense of 18.3% for the six months ended June 30, 2023, on pre-tax net income for both periods. The primary difference between the effective tax rate and the federal statutory rate for the six months ended June 30, 2024 is related to the impact of non-deductibility of certain executive compensation costs and other employee benefits in addition to net shortfalls related to the vesting and exercise of our share-based awards. Please refer to “Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements—11. Income Taxes” for additional information.
See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
31
Reconciliation of Net Income (Loss) to Adjusted Net Income (Loss), Pre-Tax Income (Loss) to Adjusted Pre-Tax Income (Loss), and Net Income (Loss) to EBITDA, EBITDAR, Adjusted EBITDA, and Adjusted EBITDAR
__________________
| Three Months Ended June 30, | Six Months Ended June 30, | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| (in millions) | (in millions) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Non-GAAP financial data (unaudited): | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Adjusted pre-tax income (loss)(a) | $ | 32 | $ | 88 | $ | 8 | $ | 72 | |||||||||||||||
Adjusted net income (loss)(a) | $ | 31 | $ | 71 | $ | 10 | $ | 59 | |||||||||||||||
EBITDA(a) | $ | 43 | $ | 91 | $ | 28 | $ | 77 | |||||||||||||||
EBITDAR(b) | $ | 190 | $ | 239 | $ | 334 | $ | 356 | |||||||||||||||
Adjusted EBITDA(a) | $ | 43 | $ | 91 | $ | 28 | $ | 78 | |||||||||||||||
Adjusted EBITDAR(b) | $ | 190 | $ | 239 | $ | 334 | $ | 357 | |||||||||||||||
(a)Adjusted pre-tax income (loss), adjusted net income (loss), EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA are included as supplemental disclosures because we believe they are useful indicators of our operating performance. Derivations of pre-tax income (loss), net income (loss) and EBITDA are well-recognized performance measurements in the airline industry that are frequently used by our management, as well as by investors, securities analysts and other interested parties in comparing the operating performance of companies in our industry.
Adjusted pre-tax income (loss), adjusted net income (loss), EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA have limitations as analytical tools. Some of the limitations applicable to these measures include: adjusted pre-tax income (loss), adjusted net income (loss), EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA do not reflect the impact of certain cash charges resulting from matters we consider not to be indicative of our ongoing operations; adjusted pre-tax income (loss), adjusted net income (loss), EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA do not reflect our cash expenditures, or future requirements, for capital expenditures or contractual commitments; EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA do not reflect changes in, or cash requirements for, our working capital needs; EBITDA, and adjusted EBITDA do not reflect the interest expense, or the cash requirements necessary to service interest or principal payments, on our indebtedness or possible cash requirements related to our warrants; although depreciation and amortization are non-cash charges, the assets being depreciated and amortized will often have to be replaced in the future, and EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA do not reflect any cash requirements for such replacements; and other companies in our industry may calculate adjusted pre-tax income (loss), adjusted net income (loss), EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA differently than we do, limiting their usefulness as comparative measures. Because of these limitations, adjusted pre-tax income (loss), adjusted net income (loss), EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA should not be considered in isolation from or as a substitute for performance measures calculated in accordance with GAAP. In addition, because derivations of adjusted pre-tax income (loss), adjusted net income (loss), EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA are not determined in accordance with GAAP, such measures are susceptible to varying calculations and not all companies calculate the measures in the same manner. As a result, derivations of pre-tax income (loss), net income (loss) and EBITDA, including adjusted pre-tax income (loss), adjusted net income (loss) and adjusted EBITDA, as presented may not be directly comparable to similarly titled measures presented by other companies.
For the foregoing reasons, each of adjusted pre-tax income (loss), adjusted net income (loss), EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA has significant limitations which affect its use as an indicator of our profitability. Accordingly, you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on this information.
(b)EBITDAR and adjusted EBITDAR are included as a supplemental disclosure because we believe them to be useful solely as valuation metrics for airlines as their calculations isolate the effects of financing in general, the accounting effects of capital spending and acquisitions (primarily aircraft, which may be acquired directly, directly subject to acquisition debt, by capital lease or by operating lease, each of which is presented differently for accounting purposes), and income taxes, which may vary significantly between periods and for different airlines for reasons unrelated to the underlying value of a particular airline. However, EBITDAR and adjusted EBITDAR are not determined in accordance with GAAP, are susceptible to varying calculations and not all companies calculate the measure in the same manner. As a result, EBITDAR and adjusted EBITDAR, as presented, may not be directly comparable to similarly titled measures presented by other companies. In addition, EBITDAR and adjusted EBITDAR should not be viewed as a measure of overall performance since they exclude aircraft rent, which is a normal, recurring cash operating expense that is necessary to operate our business. Accordingly, you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on this information.
See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
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| Three Months Ended June 30, | Six Months Ended June 30, | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| (in millions) | (in millions) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Adjusted net income (loss) reconciliation (unaudited): | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income (loss) | $ | 31 | $ | 71 | $ | 5 | $ | 58 | |||||||||||||||
Non-GAAP Adjustments(a): | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Transaction and merger-related costs | — | — | — | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Pre-tax impact | — | — | — | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Tax benefit (expense), related to non-GAAP adjustments | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||
Valuation allowance(b) | — | — | 5 | — | |||||||||||||||||||
| Net income (loss) impact | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 5 | $ | 1 | |||||||||||||||
| Adjusted net income (loss) | $ | 31 | $ | 71 | $ | 10 | $ | 59 | |||||||||||||||
| Adjusted pre-tax income (loss) reconciliation (unaudited): | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Income (loss) before income taxes | $ | 32 | $ | 88 | $ | 8 | $ | 71 | |||||||||||||||
| Pre-tax impact | — | — | — | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Adjusted pre-tax income (loss) | $ | 32 | $ | 88 | $ | 8 | $ | 72 | |||||||||||||||
| EBITDA, EBITDAR, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDAR reconciliation (unaudited): | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income (loss) | $ | 31 | $ | 71 | $ | 5 | $ | 58 | |||||||||||||||
| Plus (minus): | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest expense | 8 | 7 | 17 | 13 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Capitalized interest | (7) | (6) | (16) | (12) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Interest income and other | (8) | (10) | (15) | (18) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Income tax expense (benefit) | 1 | 17 | 3 | 13 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 18 | 12 | 34 | 23 | |||||||||||||||||||
| EBITDA | 43 | 91 | 28 | 77 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Plus: Aircraft rent | 147 | 148 | 306 | 279 | |||||||||||||||||||
| EBITDAR | $ | 190 | $ | 239 | $ | 334 | $ | 356 | |||||||||||||||
| EBITDA | $ | 43 | $ | 91 | $ | 28 | $ | 77 | |||||||||||||||
Plus (minus)(a) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Transaction and merger-related costs | — | — | — | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA | 43 | 91 | 28 | 78 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Plus: Aircraft rent | 147 | 148 | 306 | 279 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Adjusted EBITDAR | $ | 190 | $ | 239 | $ | 334 | $ | 357 | |||||||||||||||
(a)See “Reconciliation of CASM to CASM (excluding fuel), Adjusted CASM (excluding fuel), Adjusted CASM, Adjusted CASM including net interest and CASM including net interest” above for discussion on adjusting items.
(b)During the six months ended June 30, 2024, we recorded a $5 million non-cash valuation allowance against our U.S. federal and state net operating loss deferred tax assets, which largely do not expire, mainly as a result of being in a three-year historical cumulative pre-tax loss position and due to the loss generated during the three months ended March 31, 2024, which has no impact on cash taxes and is not reflective of our effective tax rate for deductible net operating losses generated or actual cash tax obligations created. Please refer to “Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements—11. Income Taxes” for additional information.
See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
33
Comparative Operating Statistics
The following table sets forth our operating statistics for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023. These operating statistics are provided because they are commonly used in the airline industry and, as such, allow readers to compare our performance against our results for the corresponding prior year period, as well as against the performance of our peers.
_______________
| Three Months Ended June 30, | Change | Six Months Ended June 30, | Change | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Operating statistics (unaudited)(a) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Available seat miles (“ASMs”) (millions) | 10,552 | 9,337 | 13 | % | 19,998 | 18,112 | 10 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Departures | 57,176 | 45,408 | 26 | % | 105,842 | 88,120 | 20 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Average stage length (miles) | 899 | 1,038 | (13) | % | 925 | 1,045 | (11) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Block hours | 147,506 | 128,854 | 14 | % | 279,563 | 251,824 | 11 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Average aircraft in service | 145 | 123 | 18 | % | 141 | 122 | 16 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Aircraft – end of period | 148 | 126 | 17 | % | 148 | 126 | 17 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Average daily aircraft utilization (hours) | 11.2 | 11.5 | (3) | % | 10.9 | 11.4 | (4) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Passengers (thousands) | 8,899 | 7,596 | 17 | % | 15,904 | 14,422 | 10 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Average seats per departure | 204 | 198 | 3 | % | 203 | 197 | 3 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Revenue passenger miles (“RPMs”) (millions) | 8,238 | 7,964 | 3 | % | 15,107 | 15,226 | (1) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Load Factor | 78.1 | % | 85.3 | % | (7.2) | pts | 75.5 | % | 84.1 | % | (8.6) | pts | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fare revenue per passenger ($) | 39.91 | 47.59 | (16) | % | 42.68 | 46.05 | (7) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Non-fare passenger revenue per passenger ($) | 66.80 | 76.89 | (13) | % | 70.15 | 77.06 | (9) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other revenue per passenger ($) | 2.54 | 2.75 | (8) | % | 2.71 | 2.72 | — | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total ancillary revenue per passenger ($) | 69.34 | 79.64 | (13) | % | 72.86 | 79.78 | (9) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total revenue per passenger ($) | 109.25 | 127.23 | (14) | % | 115.54 | 125.83 | (8) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total revenue per available seat mile (“RASM”) (¢) | 9.21 | 10.35 | (11) | % | 9.19 | 10.02 | (8) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cost per available seat mile (“CASM”) (¢) | 8.98 | 9.51 | (6) | % | 9.22 | 9.72 | (5) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
CASM (excluding fuel) (¢) (b) | 6.24 | 6.90 | (10) | % | 6.46 | 6.77 | (5) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
CASM + net interest (¢) (b) | 8.90 | 9.41 | (5) | % | 9.15 | 9.63 | (5) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Adjusted CASM (¢) (b) | 8.98 | 9.51 | (6) | % | 9.22 | 9.71 | (5) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Adjusted CASM (excluding fuel) (¢) (b) | 6.24 | 6.90 | (10) | % | 6.46 | 6.76 | (4) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Adjusted CASM (excluding fuel), stage-length adjusted to 1,000 miles (¢) (b)(c) | 5.92 | 7.03 | (16) | % | 6.21 | 6.91 | (10) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Adjusted CASM + net interest (¢) (b) | 8.90 | 9.41 | (5) | % | 9.15 | 9.62 | (5) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fuel cost per gallon ($) | 2.84 | 2.69 | 6 | % | 2.88 | 3.06 | (6) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fuel gallons consumed (thousands) | 101,690 | 90,379 | 13 | % | 191,347 | 174,966 | 9 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Full-time equivalent employees | 8,100 | 6,692 | 21 | % | 8,100 | 6,692 | 21 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(a)Figures may not recalculate due to rounding. See “Glossary of Airline Terms” for definitions of terms used in this table.
(b)These metrics are not calculated in accordance with GAAP. For the reconciliation to corresponding GAAP measures, see “Results of Operations—Reconciliation of CASM to CASM (excluding fuel), Adjusted CASM (excluding fuel), Adjusted CASM, Adjusted CASM including net interest and CASM including net interest.”
(c)Stage-length adjusted to 1,000 miles: Adjusted CASM (excluding fuel) * Square root (stage length / 1,000).
See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
34
Liquidity, Capital Resources and Financial Position
Overview
As of June 30, 2024, we had $658 million in total available liquidity, made up of cash and cash equivalents. We had $452 million of total debt, net, of which $263 million is short-term and consists primarily of amounts outstanding under our pre-delivery deposit payment (“PDP”) facility (as amended from time to time, the “PDP Financing Facility”). Our total debt, net is comprised of $300 million outstanding under our PDP Financing Facility, $83 million outstanding under our pre-purchased miles facility with Barclays Bank Delaware (“Barclays”), $66 million in 10-year, low-interest loans from the U.S. Department of the Treasury (the “Treasury,” and such loans, the “PSP Promissory Notes”) and $6 million in secured indebtedness for our headquarters building, partially offset by $3 million in deferred debt acquisition costs and other discounts.
The previous note related to our headquarters had a maturity date in June 2024 and we repaid the remaining outstanding balance, inclusive of any unpaid principal, interest, and other amounts, during the three months ended June 30, 2024. Subsequent to the payoff of the loan, we entered into a loan agreement in the amount of $6 million, with a maturity date in June 2031, which was outstanding on our condensed consolidated balance sheet as of June 30, 2024. Please refer to “Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements—6. Debt” for additional information.
In connection with the PSP Promissory Notes and the term loan facility entered into with the Treasury on September 28, 2020, which was repaid in full on February 2, 2022, we issued warrants to purchase 3,117,940 shares of our common stock at a weighted-average price of $6.95 per share. We have the intent and ability to settle the warrants issued in common shares and we have classified the warrant liability to additional paid-in-capital on our condensed consolidated balance sheet. These warrants will expire between May 2025 and June 2026. No warrants have been exercised as of June 30, 2024.
We continue to monitor our covenant compliance with various parties, including, but not limited to, our lenders and credit card processors. As of the date of this report, we are in compliance with all of our covenants.
The following table presents the major indicators of our financial condition and liquidity as of:
| June 30, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | ||||||||||
| ($ in millions) | |||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 658 | $ | 609 | |||||||
| Total current assets, excluding cash and cash equivalents | $ | 289 | $ | 262 | |||||||
| Total current liabilities, excluding current maturities of long-term debt, net and operating leases | $ | 957 | $ | 858 | |||||||
| Current maturities of long-term debt, net | $ | 263 | $ | 251 | |||||||
| Long-term debt, net | $ | 189 | $ | 219 | |||||||
| Stockholders’ equity | $ | 520 | $ | 507 | |||||||
| Debt to capital ratio | 47 | % | 48 | % | |||||||
| Debt to capital ratio, including operating lease obligations | 89 | % | 87 | % | |||||||
Use of Cash and Future Obligations
We expect to meet our cash requirements for the next twelve months through use of our available cash and cash equivalents, our PDP Financing Facility and cash flows from operating activities. We expect to meet our long-term cash requirements with cash flows from operating and financing activities, including, but not limited to, potential future borrowings under the PDP Financing Facility and/or potential issuances of debt or equity. We also have unencumbered loyalty and brand related assets, which we believe could generate significant additional liquidity, if desired. Our primary uses of cash are for working capital, aircraft PDPs, debt repayments and capital expenditures.
35
Our single largest capital commitment relates to the acquisition of aircraft. As of June 30, 2024, we operated all of our 148 aircraft under operating leases. PDPs relating to future deliveries under our agreement with Airbus are required at various times prior to each aircraft’s delivery date. As of June 30, 2024, we had $392 million of PDPs held by Airbus which have been partially financed by our PDP Financing Facility. As of June 30, 2024, our PDP Financing Facility, which allows us to draw up to an aggregate of $365 million, had $300 million outstanding. As of June 30, 2024, we had a firm obligation to purchase 198 A320neo family aircraft and 14 additional spare engines to be delivered by 2029. Of our aircraft commitments, 13 had committed operating leases for 2024 and 2025 deliveries, and 15 were subject to non-binding letters of intent to provide operating lease financing for 2025 and 2026 deliveries. We intend to evaluate financing options for the remaining aircraft.
During the three months ended June 30, 2024, we reached an agreement with one of our aircraft lessors which eliminated requirements to pay maintenance reserves held as collateral in advance of our required performance of major maintenance activities on its aircraft leases. As a result of the agreement, the lessor disbursed back to us previously paid aircraft maintenance deposits of approximately $104 million, resulting in us no longer having any aircraft maintenance deposits with any of our lessors as of June 30, 2024.
The following table summarizes current and long-term material cash requirements as of June 30, 2024, which we expect to fund primarily with operating and financing cash flows (in millions):
__________________
| Material Cash Requirements | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Remainder of 2024 | 2025 | 2026 | 2027 | 2028 | Thereafter | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Debt obligations(a) | $ | 141 | $ | 159 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 69 | $ | 86 | $ | 455 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Interest commitments(b) | 13 | 12 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 62 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Operating lease obligations(c) | 307 | 622 | 595 | 566 | 490 | 2,180 | 4,760 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Flight equipment purchase obligations(d) | 668 | 2,224 | 2,477 | 2,066 | 2,467 | 2,002 | 11,904 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 1,129 | $ | 3,017 | $ | 3,082 | $ | 2,642 | $ | 3,035 | $ | 4,276 | $ | 17,181 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(a)Includes principal commitments only associated with our PDP Financing Facility with borrowings as of June 30, 2024 pertaining to aircraft with deliveries through 2025, our affinity card unsecured debt due through 2029, our building note through June 2031 and the PSP Promissory Notes due through 2031. See “Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements — 6. Debt”.
(b)Represents interest on debt obligations.
(c)Represents gross cash payments related to our operating lease obligations that are not subject to discount as compared to the obligations measured on our condensed consolidated balance sheets. See “Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements — 7. Operating Leases”.
(d)Represents purchase commitments for aircraft and engines. In August 2024, Airbus agreed to an amended delivery schedule which delays previously scheduled firm aircraft delivery dates from 2025 through 2028 to later years. The table above reflects our commitments as of June 30, 2024 and does not reflect our aircraft purchase commitments after giving effect to this revised delivery schedule. See “Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements — 9. Commitments and Contingencies” and “Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements — 14. Subsequent Events” for further detail.
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Cash Flows
The following table presents information regarding our cash flows in the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023 (in millions):
| Six Months Ended June 30, | |||||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||||
| Net cash used in operating activities | $ | (13) | $ | (34) | |||||||
| Net cash used in investing activities | (34) | (33) | |||||||||
| Net cash provided by financing activities | 96 | 86 | |||||||||
| Net increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash | 49 | 19 | |||||||||
| Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period | 609 | 761 | |||||||||
| Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period | $ | 658 | $ | 780 | |||||||
Operating Activities
During the six months ended June 30, 2024, net cash used in operating activities totaled $13 million, which was driven by non-cash adjustments of $102 million partially offset by $5 million of net income and $84 million of inflows from changes in operating assets and liabilities.
The $84 million of inflows from changes in operating assets and liabilities included:
•$82 million in decreases in our capitalized aircraft maintenance deposits;
•$70 million in increases in our air traffic liability driven by increased bookings;
•$28 million in increases in other liabilities driven primarily by passenger taxes payable;
•$9 million in increases in accounts payable; and
•$1 million in decreases in supplies and other current assets; partially offset by
•$105 million in increases in other long-term assets primarily driven by increases in prepaid maintenance, capitalized maintenance, and supplier incentives; and
•$1 million in increases in accounts receivable.
Our net income of $5 million was also adjusted by the following non-cash items to arrive at cash used in operating activities:
•$148 million in gains recognized on sale-leaseback transactions; partially offset by
•$34 million in depreciation and amortization;
•$9 million in stock-based compensation expense; and
•$3 million in deferred income tax expense.
During the six months ended June 30, 2023, net cash used in operating activities totaled $34 million, which was driven by $79 million of outflows from changes in operating assets and liabilities and non-cash adjustments totaling $13 million, partially offset by $58 million of net income.
37
The $79 million of outflows from changes in operating assets and liabilities included:
•$93 million in increases in other long-term assets driven by increases in capitalized maintenance, prepaid maintenance, prepaid bonuses and capitalized interest;
•$60 million in decreases in other liabilities driven primarily by leased aircraft return payments and decreased return costs, and other related accruals; and
•$9 million in increases in aircraft maintenance deposits; partially offset by
•$40 million in increases in our air traffic liability;
•$28 million in decreases in accounts receivable due to station and credit card receivables;
•$9 million in decreases in supplies and other current assets; and
•$6 million in increases in accounts payable.
Our net income of $58 million was also adjusted by the following non-cash items to arrive at cash used in operating activities:
•$57 million in gains recognized on sale-leaseback transactions; partially offset by
•$23 million in depreciation and amortization;
•$13 million in deferred tax expense;
•$7 million in stock-based compensation expense; and
•$1 million in amortization of cash flow hedges, net of tax.
As of June 30, 2024, we did not have any off-balance sheet arrangements that have or are reasonably likely to have a current or future material effect on our results of operations, financial condition or cash flows.
Investing Activities
During the six months ended June 30, 2024, net cash used in investing activities totaled $34 million, driven by:
•$48 million in cash outflows for capital expenditures; and
•$1 million in cash outflows relating to other investing activity; partially offset by
•$15 million in net proceeds for PDP activity.
During the six months ended June 30, 2023, net cash used in investing activities totaled $33 million, driven by:
•$23 million in cash outflows for capital expenditures;
•$9 million in net outflows for PDP activity; and
•$1 million in cash proceeds relating to other investing activity.
Financing Activities
During the six months ended June 30, 2024, net cash provided by financing activities was $96 million, driven by:
•$142 million in cash proceeds from debt issuances, consisting of $133 million drawn on our PDP Financing Facility, $6 million in new borrowing on our building note and a $3 million draw on our Barclays facility;
•$116 million in net proceeds received from sale-leaseback transactions; and
•$1 million in proceeds from the exercise of stock options; partially offset by
•$161 million in cash outflows from principal repayments on debt, which includes $145 million on our PDP Financing Facility and $16 million on our building note that reached maturity; and
•$2 million in cash outflows for payments related to tax withholdings of share-based awards.
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During the six months ended June 30, 2023, net cash provided by financing activities was $86 million, primarily driven by:
•$89 million in cash inflows from sale-leaseback transactions and spare engines delivered during the six months ended June 30, 2023; and
•$52 million in cash proceeds from debt issuances, consisting of $44 million in draws on our PDP Financing Facility and $9 million in draws on our Barclays facility, net of issuance costs; partially offset by
•$51 million in cash outflows from principal repayments on our PDP Financing Facility; and
•$5 million in cash outflows for payments related to tax withholdings of share-based awards.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
There have been no material changes in our critical accounting policies and estimates during the six months ended June 30, 2024. For information regarding our critical accounting policies and estimates, see “Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates” included in Part II, Item 7 of our 2023 Annual Report.
Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements
See “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements —1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” included in Part II, Item 8 of our 2023 Annual Report for a discussion of recent accounting pronouncements.
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GLOSSARY OF AIRLINE TERMS
Set forth below is a glossary of industry terms:
“A320neo family” means, collectively, the Airbus series of single-aisle aircraft that feature the new engine option, including the A320neo and A321neo aircraft.
“Adjusted CASM” is a non-GAAP measure and means operating expenses, excluding special items, divided by ASMs. For a discussion of such special items and a reconciliation of CASM to CASM (excluding fuel), Adjusted CASM (excluding fuel), Adjusted CASM, Adjusted CASM including net interest and CASM including net interest, please see “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Results of Operations.”
“Adjusted CASM including net interest” or “Adjusted CASM + net interest” is a non-GAAP measure and means the sum of Adjusted CASM and net interest expense (income) excluding special items divided by ASMs. For a discussion of such special items and a reconciliation of CASM to CASM (excluding fuel), Adjusted CASM (excluding fuel), Adjusted CASM, Adjusted CASM including net interest and CASM including net interest, please see “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Results of Operations.”
“Adjusted CASM (excluding fuel)” is a non-GAAP measure and means operating expenses less aircraft fuel expense, excluding special items, divided by ASMs. For a discussion of such special items and a reconciliation of CASM to CASM (excluding fuel), Adjusted CASM (excluding fuel), Adjusted CASM, Adjusted CASM including net interest and CASM including net interest, please see “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Results of Operations.”
“Air traffic liability” means the value of tickets, unearned membership fees and other related fees sold in advance of travel.
“Ancillary revenue” means the sum of non-fare passenger revenue and other revenue.
“Available seat miles” or “ASMs” means seats (empty or full) multiplied by miles the seats are flown.
“Average aircraft in service” means the average number of aircraft used in flight operations, as calculated on a daily basis.
“Average daily aircraft utilization” means block hours divided by number of days in the period divided by average aircraft in service.
“Average stage length” means the average number of miles flown per flight segment.
“Block hours” means the number of hours during which the aircraft is in revenue service, measured from the time of gate departure before take-off until the time of gate arrival at the destination.
“CASM” or “unit costs” means operating expenses divided by ASMs.
“CASM (excluding fuel)” is a non-GAAP measure and means operating expenses less aircraft fuel expense, divided by ASMs.
“CASM including net interest” or “CASM + net interest” is a non-GAAP measure and means the sum of CASM and net interest expense (income) divided by ASMs.
“DOT” means the United States Department of Transportation.
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“Fare revenue” consists of base fares for air travel, including miles redeemed under our frequent flyer program, unused and expired passenger credits, other redeemed or expired travel credits and revenue derived from charter flights.
“Fare revenue per passenger” means fare revenue divided by passengers.
“Load factor” means the percentage of aircraft seat miles actually occupied on a flight (RPMs divided by ASMs).
“Net interest expenses (income)” means interest expense, capitalized interest, interest income and other.
“Non-fare passenger revenue” consists of fees related to certain ancillary items such as baggage, service fees, seat selection, and other passenger-related revenue that is not included as part of base fares for travel.
“Non-fare passenger revenue per passenger” means non-fare passenger revenue divided by passengers.
“Other revenue” consists primarily of services not directly related to providing transportation, such as the advertising, marketing and brand elements of the FRONTIER Miles affinity credit card program and commissions revenue from the sale of items such as rental cars and hotels.
“Other revenue per passenger” means other revenue divided by passengers.
“Passengers” means the total number of passengers flown on all flight segments.
“Passenger revenue” consists of fare revenue and non-fare passenger revenue.
“PDP” means pre-delivery deposit payments, which are payments required by aircraft manufacturers in advance of delivery of the aircraft.
“RASM” or “unit revenue” means total revenue divided by ASMs.
“Revenue passenger miles” or “RPMs” means the number of miles flown by passengers.
“Total ancillary revenue per passenger” means ancillary revenue divided by passengers.
“Total revenue per passenger” means the sum of fare revenue, non-fare passenger revenue, and other revenue (collectively, “Total Revenue”) divided by passengers.
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ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURE ABOUT MARKET RISK
We are subject to market risks in the ordinary course of our business. These risks include commodity price risk, with respect to aircraft fuel, as well as interest rate risk, specifically with respect to our floating rate obligations and aircraft lease contracts. The adverse effects of changes in these markets could pose a potential loss as discussed below. The sensitivity analysis provided does not consider the effects that such adverse changes may have on overall economic activity, nor does it consider additional actions we may take to mitigate our exposure to such changes. Actual results may differ.
Aircraft Fuel. Our results of operations can vary materially due to changes in the price and availability of aircraft fuel and are also impacted by the number of aircraft in use and the number of flights we operate. Aircraft fuel represented approximately 30%, 30%, 27% and 30% of total operating expenses for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Unexpected changes in the pricing of aircraft fuel or a shortage or disruption in the supply could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition. Based on our fuel consumption for the 12 months ended June 30, 2024, a hypothetical 10% increase in the average price per gallon of aircraft fuel would have increased aircraft fuel expense by approximately $114 million.
Interest Rates. We are subject to market risk associated with changing interest rates, due to Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) based interest rates on our PDP Financing Facility and Effective Federal Funds Rate (“EFFR”) based interest rates on our affinity card advance purchase of miles. During the six months ended June 30, 2024, as applied to our average debt balances, a hypothetical increase of 100 basis points in average annual interest rates on our variable-rate debt would have increased the annual interest expense by $4 million.
We are also exposed to interest rate risk through aircraft lease contracts for the time period between agreement of terms and commencement of the lease, where portions of the rental payments are adjusted and become fixed based on swap rates. As part of our risk management program, we have historically entered into contracts in order to limit the exposure to fluctuations in interest rates. During each of the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, we did not enter into any swaps and, therefore, paid no upfront premiums for interest rate hedges. As of June 30, 2024, we had no interest rate hedges outstanding.
ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Management, with the participation of our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of June 30, 2024. The term “disclosure controls and procedures,” as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act, refers to the controls and other procedures of a company that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by a company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by a company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to the company’s management, including its principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Based on such evaluation, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluded that, as of June 30, 2024, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective at the reasonable assurance level.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
During the three months ended June 30, 2024, there were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
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PART II – OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
From time to time, we have been and will continue to be subject to commercial litigation claims and to administrative and regulatory proceedings and reviews that may be asserted or maintained. We believe the ultimate outcome of such lawsuits, proceedings and reviews is not reasonably likely, individually or in the aggregate, to have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
There have been no material changes to the risk factors disclosed in Item 1A “Risk Factors” contained in our 2023 Annual Report, other than the risk factors disclosed in Item 1A “Risk Factors” contained in our Quarterly Report for the quarter ended March 31, 2024. Investors are urged to review all such risk factors carefully.
ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities
None.
Use of Proceeds
None.
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
We do not have a share repurchase program and no shares were repurchased during the second quarter of 2024.
ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES
None.
ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
Not applicable.
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ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION
Flight Equipment Commitments
On August 7, 2024, the Company and Airbus entered into a binding term sheet, subject to execution of customary closing documentation, to, among other things, update the remaining firm aircraft purchase order delivery schedule, which defers previously scheduled firm aircraft delivery dates from 2025 through 2028 to later years. These changes are reflected in the table below and reflect scheduled aircraft received in July 2024:
| A320neo | A321neo | Total Aircraft | Engines | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Year Ending | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Remainder of 2024 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2025 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2026 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2027 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2028 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Thereafter | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||
The foregoing information is included for the purpose of providing the disclosures required under “Item 1.01 – Entry Into a Material Definitive Agreement” of Form 8-K.
Rule 10b5-1 and Non-Rule 10b5-1 Trading Arrangements
During the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2024, none of our directors or officers adopted , modified or terminated
On May 19, 2024 , Steve Schuller , our Senior Vice President of Human Resources , adopted a Rule 10b5-1(c) trading arrangement intended to satisfy the affirmative defense of Rule 10b5-1(c) for the sale of up to 40,000 shares of our common stock until May 16, 2026 .
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ITEM 6. EXHIBITS
| Incorporated by Reference | Filed Herewith | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Exhibit Number | Exhibit Description | Form | File Number | Date | Number | |||||||||||||||||||||
3.1 | 8-K | 001-40304 | 4/6/2021 | 3.1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
3.2 | 8-K | 001-40304 | 7/25/2024 | 3.1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
4.1 | S-1 | 333-254004 | 3/8/2021 | 4.2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
4.2 | X | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
10.1† | X | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
10.2 | X | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
10.3 | X | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
31.1 | X | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
31.2 | X | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
32.1* | X | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
32.2* | X | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
101.INS | Inline XBRL Instance Document – The instance document does not appear in the interactive data file because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document. | X | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
101.SCH | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document. | X | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
101.CAL | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document. | X | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
101.DEF | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document. | X | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
101.LAB | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Labels Linkbase Document. | X | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
101.PRE | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document. | X | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
104 | Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101). | X | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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__________________
* The certifications furnished in Exhibits 32.1 and 32.2 hereto are deemed to accompany this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and are not deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Exchange Act, or otherwise subject to the liability of that section, nor shall they be deemed incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, irrespective of any general incorporation language contained in such filing.
† Certain portions of this document that constitute confidential information have been redacted in accordance with Regulation S-K, Item 601(b)(10).
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SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
| FRONTIER GROUP HOLDINGS, INC. | |||||||||||
| Date: August 8, 2024 | By: | /s/ Mark C. Mitchell | |||||||||
| Mark C. Mitchell | |||||||||||
| Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Duly Authorized Officer and Principal Financial Officer) | |||||||||||
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