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Frontier Airlines to Expand Purchase Agreement With Airbus Through Fiscal Year 2011 |
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Frontier Airlines (Nasdaq: FRNT)
today announced the firm order of six new A320 aircraft, as well as the
exchange of eight existing A319 aircraft orders for four A318 and four A320
aircraft orders. The amended aircraft order introduces the A320 aircraft to
Frontier's existing fleet plan and extends Frontier's growth plan into fiscal
year 2011 from its previous last delivery date of March 2008. At the end of
fiscal year 2011, Frontier's fleet will consist of the following mix of
aircraft: (11) A318, (49) A319 and (10) A320.
Frontier President and CEO Jeff Potter said, "Today's announcement is
exciting for us for a number of reasons, including our taking the next step in
our growth strategy by ordering the larger A320 aircraft. We have reached an
optimal level of frequencies in several of our most popular markets,
and the
A320 will provide us an opportunity to continue to expand while maximizing the
economies of scale that the A320 can offer. On the opposite end of the
spectrum, we are adding four new A318 aircraft to our existing fleet, allowing
us the flexibility to ensure we are "right-sizing" our markets. The
flexibility of the A320 family is an integral part of our growth plans and we
are eager to take the next step with this new order."
Chief Executive Officer of Airbus, Gustav Humbert said, "When Frontier
became an 'all-Airbus' airline last April, we knew that we had achieved an
important milestone in the U.S. market. Our aircraft are not just a
considered addition, but the foundation of low-cost carriers worldwide.
Airlines like Frontier recognize the importance of a balance of comfort,
technology and economics to their customers and employees."
Frontier's first A320 aircraft is scheduled for delivery during fiscal
year 2008, with subsequent deliveries continuing through fiscal year 2011.
The table below provides the current delivery schedule under the amended
Airbus agreement announced today:
Fiscal Year Planned Airbus Total Fleet By Aircraft Type
Aircraft Deliveries
FY2006 A319 (1) 50 A318 (7)
A319 (43)
FY2007 A319 (6) 57 A318 (8)
A318 (1) A319 (49)
FY2008 A318 (3) 62 A318 (11)
A320 (2) A319 (49)
A320 (2)
FY2009 A320 (1) 63 A318 (11)
A319 (49)
A320 (3)
FY2010 A320 (5) 68 A318 (11)
A319 (49)
A320 (8)
FY2011 A320 (2) 70 A318 (11)
A319 (49)
A320 (10)
The new order is subject to confirmation by Frontier on March 31, 2006.
Should Frontier choose not to proceed with the new order, the purchase
agreement will revert to the eight existing A319 aircraft orders.
About Frontier
Currently in its 12th year of operations, Denver-based Frontier Airlines
is the second largest jet service carrier at Denver International Airport,
employing approximately 4,700 aviation professionals. With 49 aircraft and
the youngest Airbus fleet in North America, Frontier offers 24 channels of
DIRECTV(R) service in every seatback along with 33 inches of legroom in an all
coach configuration. In conjunction with Frontier JetExpress operated by
Horizon Air, Frontier operates routes linking its Denver hub to
47 destinations in 28 states spanning the nation from coast to coast and to
seven cities in Mexico. Frontier's maintenance and engineering department has
received the Federal Aviation Administration's highest award, the Diamond
Certificate of Excellence, in recognition of 100 percent of its maintenance
and engineering employees completing advanced aircraft maintenance training
programs, for seven consecutive years. In July 2005, Frontier ranked as one
of the "Top 10 Domestic Airlines" as determined by readers of Travel & Leisure
magazine. Frontier provides capacity information and other operating
statistics on its Web site, which may be viewed at http://www.frontierairlines.com.Powered by AkoComment 2.0!
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