Frontier Group Holdings announced that President James G. Dempsey will serve as interim chief executive officer effective December 15, 2025, while Barry L. Biffle will transition to an advisory role through the end of the year. Dempsey, who joined Frontier in 2014 as chief financial officer and later became president, has spent more than a decade steering the airline’s financial and operational strategy.
The leadership change comes as Frontier grapples with a challenging domestic market and a narrow profitability window. In the third quarter of 2025, the airline reported a net loss of $77 million and negative EBITDA of $302 million, a decline from the $0.37 per share loss forecasted by analysts. Revenue for the quarter fell to $886 million, missing expectations, while the company’s revenue per available seat mile (RASM) rose 2 percent year‑over‑year, offset by a 9 percent increase in cost per available seat mile (CASM). These figures underscore the company’s ongoing margin compression and its target to return to profitability in the second half of 2025.
Frontier’s strategy, dubbed “New Frontier,” seeks to broaden its appeal through loyalty‑program enhancements, the introduction of “UpFront Plus” premium seating, and planned first‑class service later in the year. The airline also benefits from a significant capacity reduction by Spirit Airlines, which cut capacity by 25 percent in November 2025, potentially freeing up market share for Frontier. However, the domestic market remains competitive, and Frontier’s cost discipline will be critical to achieving its profitability goals.
Board chair Bill Franke praised Dempsey’s long‑term contribution, noting that “Jimmy has been an invaluable member of Frontier’s senior leadership team for more than 10 years and has played an instrumental role in the company’s evolution and growth.” Dempsey echoed this sentiment, stating, “I am honored and excited to lead Frontier Airlines and thank the Board for its trust to shape Frontier’s future with our 13,000+ dedicated team members. With 13 bases and a strong cost advantage, I believe Frontier is well positioned to deliver unrivaled value to customers across the United States.” Biffle added, “The Board of Directors is deeply appreciative of Barry’s leadership and dedicated service to Frontier over the past 11 years.”
The interim appointment signals a focus on stability and continuity while the board searches for a permanent CEO. Dempsey’s deep operational experience and fiscal stewardship are expected to reinforce Frontier’s emphasis on cost discipline and revenue growth, key levers for moving toward profitability. Investors will monitor how the interim leadership navigates the company’s ongoing challenges and capitalizes on the competitive opportunities presented by Spirit’s capacity cuts and the rollout of the New Frontier initiatives.
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