Frontier Group Holdings, Inc. Names James G. Dempsey as President and Chief Executive Officer

Rhea-AI Summary

Frontier Group Holdings (NASDAQ: ULCC) announced that its Board elected James G. Dempsey as President and Chief Executive Officer and a member of the Board, effective January 7, 2026. Dempsey had served as interim CEO beginning December 2025 and will lead Frontier into 2026.

The company also updated its Fourth Quarter 2025 guidance, saying adjusted (non-GAAP) diluted EPS is expected at the higher end of the previously provided range of $0.04 to $0.20 per share, citing strong revenue performance that overcame the impact of a government shutdown.

Positive

• Named James G. Dempsey as permanent CEO effective January 7, 2026
• Adjusted (non-GAAP) diluted EPS now expected at the higher end of the $0.04–$0.20 range
• Company cited strong revenue performance overcoming government shutdown impact

Negative

• Fourth quarter 2025 was affected by a government shutdown, indicating operational headwinds

News Market Reaction

+1.90%

20 alerts

+1.90% News Effect

+7.7% Peak in 30 hr 16 min

+$23M Valuation Impact

$1.22B Market Cap

0.9x Rel. Volume

On the day this news was published, ULCC gained 1.90%, reflecting a mild positive market reaction. Argus tracked a peak move of +7.7% during that session. Our momentum scanner triggered 20 alerts that day, indicating elevated trading interest and price volatility. This price movement added approximately $23M to the company's valuation, bringing the market cap to $1.22B at that time.

Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.

Key Figures

Q4 2025 adjusted EPS guidance range: $0.04–$0.20 per share

1 metrics

Q4 2025 adjusted EPS guidance range $0.04–$0.20 per share Company now expects outcome at higher end of this range

Market Reality Check

Price: $4.99 Vol: Volume 2,648,805 is below...

low vol

$4.99 Last Close

Volume Volume 2,648,805 is below the 20-day average of 3,924,431 (volume ratio 0.67). low

Technical Shares at $4.73 are trading above the 200-day MA $4.25, after a -1.05% day.

Peers on Argus

ULCC fell 1.05% with several airline peers also down: ALGT -0.85%, JBLU -0.98%, ...

ULCC fell 1.05% with several airline peers also down: ALGT -0.85%, JBLU -0.98%, SNCY -0.84%, FLYX -6.27%, while VLRS +0.43% diverged slightly. Moves skew negative across the group.

Historical Context

5 past events · Latest: Dec 15 (Positive)

Pattern 5 events

Date	Event	Sentiment	Move	Catalyst
Dec 15	CEO transition	Positive	+0.3%	Named James Dempsey interim CEO and reiterated Q4 2025 guidance.
Nov 05	Earnings update	Neutral	+1.0%	Reported Q3 2025 loss with detailed metrics and Q4 EPS guidance.
Oct 27	Earnings webcast notice	Neutral	+4.8%	Announced timing and webcast details for Q3 2025 results call.
Oct 01	Loyalty promotion	Positive	-5.2%	Launched Platinum Status Challenge with path to elite benefits.
Aug 20	Fare promotion	Positive	-7.6%	Announced low-fare sale and service enhancements including new seating.

Pattern Detected

Stock often shows modest positive alignment on corporate/earnings updates but has sold off on customer-focused promotions.

Recent Company History

Over the last six months, ULCC has seen several strategic and promotional updates. A CEO transition on Dec 15, 2025 and Q3 earnings on Nov 5, 2025 produced small positive moves, suggesting comfort with leadership and guidance. Earlier marketing and fare promotions in Aug–Oct 2025 coincided with notable declines. Today’s confirmation of James Dempsey as CEO and Q4 2025 EPS tracking to the high end builds directly on the earlier transition and guidance commentary.

Market Pulse Summary

This announcement combines leadership clarity and a guidance update. James Dempsey’s move from inter...

Analysis

This announcement combines leadership clarity and a guidance update. James Dempsey’s move from interim to permanent CEO formalizes December’s transition, while management now sees Q4 2025 adjusted EPS at the high end of the prior $0.04–$0.20 range, citing strong revenue despite a government shutdown. Investors may track future earnings updates and operational metrics to gauge how effectively this leadership team executes on the stated strategy.

Key Terms

adjusted (non-GAAP) diluted earnings per share

1 terms

adjusted (non-GAAP) diluted earnings per share financial

"The Company now expects its adjusted (non-GAAP) diluted earnings per share to be..."

Adjusted (non-GAAP) diluted earnings per share measures a company’s profit allocated to each diluted share after removing certain one-time, irregular or non-cash items that management believes obscure ongoing performance. Investors treat it like a “cleaned-up” view of earnings—similar to judging a car’s regular fuel economy after excluding rare road trips—to compare underlying profitability across periods and peers, but it should be read alongside standard GAAP EPS because exclusions vary by company.

AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.

Updates Fourth Quarter 2025 Guidance

DENVER, Jan. 8, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Frontier Group Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: ULCC) ("Frontier" or the "Company"), parent company of Frontier Airlines, Inc., today announced that its Board of Directors (the "Board") has elected James G. Dempsey as President and Chief Executive Officer, and a member of the Frontier Board, effective yesterday. In December 2025, Mr. Dempsey had been named Frontier's interim Chief Executive Officer.

"Jimmy has demonstrated over his more than a decade at Frontier that he's the right leader to drive our airline forward," said Board Chair Bill Franke. "His expertise will help us capitalize on the opportunities we see ahead, preserve our industry-leading cost advantage and guide Frontier into the future."

"It's an exciting time at Frontier as we kick off 2026," said Mr. Dempsey. "The dedication and hard work of our team members enables Frontier to deliver unrivaled value to our customers. I look forward to continuing to work alongside Team Frontier and the Board in our next chapter to execute and deliver long-term shareholder value."

Updated Fourth Quarter 2025 Guidance

Frontier also announced updates to the fourth quarter 2025 guidance it provided on November 5, 2025 and supplemented on December 15, 2025. The Company now expects its adjusted (non-GAAP) diluted earnings per share to be at the higher end of the previously provided guidance range of between $0.04 and $0.20 per share. This reflects strong revenue performance as the quarter progressed, overcoming the impact of the government shutdown.

About Frontier Airlines

Frontier Airlines, Inc., a subsidiary of Frontier Group Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: ULCC), is committed to delivering "Low Fares Done Right." Headquartered in Denver, Colorado, Frontier operates the largest A320neo family fleet in the U.S., which is also among the youngest and most fuel-efficient. With its expanding network, rewarding loyalty program, and bold new product offerings, Frontier is redefining low-fare travel and building The New Frontier as America's Low Fare Airline.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements and Information

Certain statements in this press release should be considered forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are based on the Company's current expectations and beliefs with respect to certain current and future events and anticipated financial and operating performance. Words such as "expects," "will," "strive," "guidance" 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. All forward-looking statements in this press release are based upon information available to the Company on the date of this report. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, changed circumstances or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.

Actual results could differ materially from these forward-looking statements due to numerous risks and uncertainties relating to the Company's operations and business environment including, without limitation, the following: unfavorable economic and political conditions in the states where the Company operates and globally, including tariffs and other trade protection measures, an inflationary environment and potential recession, weakened demand environment, and the resulting impact on cost inputs and/or consumer demand for air travel; the highly competitive nature of the global airline industry and susceptibility of the industry to price discounting and changes in capacity; disruptions to the Company's flight operations, including due to factors beyond the Company's control, such as adverse weather events or air traffic controller staffing shortages and facility and infrastructure constraints (including as a result of federal government shutdowns); the Company's ability to attract and retain qualified personnel at reasonable costs; high and/or volatile fuel prices or significant disruptions in the supply of aircraft fuel, including as a result of the war between Russia and Ukraine and the conflict in the Middle East; the Company's reliance on technology and automated systems to operate its business and the impact of any significant failure or disruption of, or failure to effectively integrate and implement, the technology or systems; the Company's reliance on third-party service providers and the impact of any failure of these parties to perform as expected, or interruptions in the Company's relationships with these providers or their provision of services; adverse publicity and/or harm to the Company's brand or reputation; reduced travel demand and potential tort liability as a result of an accident, catastrophe or incident involving the Company, its codeshare partners or another airline; terrorist attacks, international hostilities or other security events, or the fear of terrorist attacks or hostilities, even if not made directly on the airline industry; increasing privacy and data security obligations or a significant data breach; further changes to the airline industry with respect to alliances and joint business arrangements or due to consolidations; changes in the Company's network strategy or other factors outside its control resulting in less economic aircraft orders, costs related to modification or termination of aircraft orders or entry into less favorable aircraft orders; the Company's reliance on a single supplier for its aircraft and two suppliers for its engines, and the impact of any failure to obtain timely deliveries, additional equipment or support from any of these suppliers; expanded inspection programs and/or heightened maintenance requirements imposed on the Company's aircraft or engines; the impacts of union disputes, employee strikes or slowdowns, and other labor-related disruptions on the Company's operations; extended interruptions or disruptions in service at major airports where the Company operates; the impacts of seasonality and other factors associated with the airline industry; the Company's failure to realize the full value of its intangible assets or its long-lived assets, causing the Company to record impairments; the costs of compliance with extensive government regulation of the airline industry; costs, liabilities and risks associated with environmental regulation and climate change; the Company's inability to accept or integrate new aircraft into the Company's fleet as planned; the impacts of the Company's significant amount of financial leverage from fixed obligations, the possibility the Company may seek material amounts of additional financial liquidity in the short-term and the impacts of insufficient liquidity on the Company's financial condition and business; failure to comply with the covenants in the Company's financing agreements or failure to comply with financial and other covenants governing the Company's other debt; changes in, or failure to retain, the Company's senior management team or other key employees; current or future litigation and regulatory actions, or failure to comply with the terms of any settlement, order or arrangement relating to these actions; increases in insurance costs or inadequate insurance coverage; and other risks and uncertainties set forth from time to time under sections captioned "Risk Factors" in the Company's reports and other documents filed with the SEC, including the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024, which was filed with the SEC on February 18, 2025.

 

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SOURCE Frontier Group Holdings, Inc.

FAQ

Who is the new CEO of Frontier Group Holdings (ULCC) and when did he become CEO?

James G. Dempsey was elected President and Chief Executive Officer and Board member, effective January 7, 2026.

What did Frontier (ULCC) update about its Fourth Quarter 2025 guidance?

Frontier now expects adjusted (non-GAAP) diluted EPS at the higher end of the prior $0.04 to $0.20 per share guidance range.

Why did Frontier (ULCC) raise its Q4 2025 EPS outlook?

The company cited strong revenue performance during the quarter that overcame the impact of a government shutdown.

Did James G. Dempsey serve as interim CEO before his permanent appointment at Frontier (ULCC)?

Yes, Mr. Dempsey was named interim Chief Executive Officer in December 2025 prior to his election as CEO.

How might Frontier's (ULCC) EPS update affect near-term investor expectations?

The updated guidance to the higher end of the $0.04–$0.20 range signals stronger-than-expected Q4 2025 revenue, which may be viewed positively by investors assessing near-term profitability.