FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Elise Eberwein
720-374-4501
E-mail: CorpComm@FlyFrontier.com
Frontier Airlines Reports Fiscal Year 2003 Results
DENVER (May 22, 2003) - Frontier Airlines (Nasdaq: FRNT) today announced a net loss of $22.8
million, or $0.77 per common share, for its fiscal year ended March 31, 2003. This compares to
net income of $16.5 million, or $0.56 per diluted common share from the previous fiscal year. The
Company's fiscal year net loss included a $2.0 million after-tax credit for the cumulative effect
of a change in accounting for major aircraft overhauls from the accrual method to the expense as
incurred method. The loss before the cumulative effect of the change in accounting was $24.9 million,
or $0.84 per common share.
For the airline's fiscal fourth quarter ended March 31, 2003, the airline reported a net loss of
$13.0 million, or $0.44 per common share, compared to net income of $623,000, or $0.02 per diluted
common share, for the same period last year. The results of the fiscal fourth quarter 2003 include
$0.08 per share (after tax) of losses associated with unrealized losses on financial derivatives,
a write-down of Boeing spare parts inventory and the impact of reduced revenue sharing credits
associated with Denver International Airport's anticipated reserve for United Airlines' bad debt.
Chief Executive Officer's Comments
"Reporting our first annual loss in five years is a disappointment and reflects many of the
challenges faced by our industry during the past year, including a weakened economy and, in this
latest quarter, the recent unrest in the Middle East that culminated in the Iraq war. In addition,
our fiscal year 2003 loss was exacerbated by the severe winter blizzard in March 2003 that shut
down the Denver metro area for two days," said Frontier President and Chief Executive Officer Jeff
Potter. "However, we believe we are doing all of the right things to continue to build upon our
cost reduction accomplishments, maximize revenue and improve our liquidity. During the past year
we realized year over year unit cost reductions of 10.8 percent, posting what we believe are some
of the greatest cost management improvements among our peers. With the recent simplified fare
structure implemented during February 2003, and launch of our new branding campaign, 'A Whole
Different Animal,' we believe customer response will be favorable."
Fourth Quarter Operating and Financial Highlights
The airline's total revenues during its fiscal fourth quarter 2003 increased 4.7 percent to $118.5
million from $113.2 million in the fourth quarter of the prior year. The airline's capacity, as
measured by available seat miles (ASMs), increased 26.5 percent during its fiscal fourth quarter
2003, while its traffic, as measured by revenue passenger miles (RPMs), increased 26.8 percent
compared to fiscal fourth quarter 2002. This resulted in a load factor of 58.4 percent, an increase
of 0.2 load factor points from fiscal fourth quarter 2002. During fiscal fourth quarter 2003, the
airline's break-even load factor increased 12.7 load factor points to 67.8 percent. The airline's
average fare during its fiscal fourth quarter 2003 decreased 15.6 percent to $108 from $128 for the
fiscal fourth quarter 2002. Revenue per passenger mile (yield) for fiscal fourth quarter 2003
decreased 17.3 percent to 12.76 cents from 15.43 cents for fiscal fourth quarter 2002. The airline's
passenger revenue per available seat mile (RASM) for fiscal fourth quarter 2003 decreased 17.1
percent to 7.45 cents from 8.99 cents for fiscal fourth quarter 2002.
Cost per available seat mile (CASM) for fiscal fourth quarter 2003 increased 1.0 percent to 8.75
cents from 8.66 cents for fiscal fourth quarter 2002. CASM excluding the airline's fuel costs
decreased 4.8 percent to 7.14 cents, compared to 7.50 cents for fiscal fourth quarter 2002. During
the fiscal fourth quarter 2003, the airline paid 44.2 percent more per gallon for fuel as compared
to the same period last year, as the average cost per gallon of fuel during the fiscal fourth quarter
was $1.11. The airline's fiscal fourth quarter 2003 CASM was adversely affected by an estimated 0.39
cents as a result of the write-down of Boeing spare parts inventory and the impact of reduced
revenue sharing credits associated with Denver International Airport's anticipated reserve for
United Airlines' bad debt. The airline's year over year CASM reduction (excluding fuel) was achieved
principally by continued efficiencies of the airline's Airbus fleet that increased from six aircraft
at the end of fiscal year 2002 to 17 aircraft as of March 31, 2003. Utilization for fiscal fourth
quarter 2003 averaged 9.7 hours, an increase of 2.0 percent from fiscal fourth quarter 2002.
Year End Operating and Financial Highlights
The airline's total revenues during its fiscal year 2003 increased 5.6 percent to $470.0 million
from $445.1 million for the prior year. The airline's capacity, as measured by ASMs, increased 30.9
percent during fiscal year 2003, while its traffic, as measured by RPMs, increased 30.6 percent.
This resulted in a load factor of 59.9 percent, a decrease of 0.1 points from fiscal year 2002.
During fiscal year 2003, the airline's break-even load factor increased 7.1 points to 64.7 percent.
The airline's average fare during its fiscal year 2003 decreased 17.4 percent to $109 from $132
from the prior year. The airline's RASM for fiscal year 2003 decreased 19.4 percent to 7.63 cents
from 9.47 cents for fiscal year 2002.
CASM for the fiscal year 2003 decreased 10.8 percent to 8.32 cents from 9.33 cents for fiscal year
2002. CASM excluding the airline's fuel costs decreased 13.8 percent to 6.90 cents during fiscal
year 2003, compared to 8.00 cents during fiscal year 2002. During fiscal year 2003, the average
cost per gallon of fuel was $0.96, a 10.3 percent increase from last year. Utilization for fiscal
year 2003 averaged 9.8 hours, an increase of 7.7 percent from fiscal year 2002.
Fleet Update
At the end of fiscal year 2003, the airline's fleet consisted of 17 Airbus A319 aircraft, 16 Boeing
737-300s and three Boeing 737-200s. Frontier has firm orders to take delivery of 11 additional
Airbus A319 and A318 aircraft during fiscal year 2004, and return nine Boeing aircraft to their
lessors. This will result in two net additional aircraft to Frontier's fleet by the end of its
fiscal year 2004, bringing its total fleet to 38 aircraft, including 24 Airbus A319 aircraft,
four Airbus A318 aircraft and 10 Boeing 737-300 aircraft.
The Company also announced it has extended its codeshare agreement with Mesa Air Group, Inc.,
operating as Frontier JetExpress, through Aug. 31, 2003.
Potter said, "We believe a regional jet operation is an important component to our business model,
and we continue to discuss our long-term options with Mesa, as well as explore revenue opportunities
with other regional jet operators."
Liquidity and Derivative Transactions
Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments on March 31, 2003 were approximately $104.9
million, compared to $89.6 million at March 31, 2002. The airline reported working capital of
$60.8 million as of March 31, 2003, compared to working capital of $41.3 million on March 31, 2002.
Frontier's Chief Financial Officer Paul Tate noted, "Our available cash significantly increased
during our fiscal fourth quarter 2003 with the closing of the Air Transportation Stabilization
Board federal loan guarantee of a $70 million commercial loan facility combined with an assignment
of our March 2003 Airbus A319 delivery. These transactions netted $68.2 million and $7.1 million
of additional cash, respectively."
Addressing the Company's derivative transactions, Tate said, "Since initiating a fuel hedging
program in late November 2002, we have reduced fuel expenses in fiscal year 2003 by over $725,000,
on a pre-tax basis. As of the end of our fiscal year 2003, we have remaining derivative fuel hedging
contracts covering approximately 30 percent of our jet fuel requirements through May 2003 at an
average price of $0.77 cents per gallon; 20 percent for June 2003 at $0.80 cents per gallon; 20
percent for July through November 2003 at $0.74 cents per gallon and 15 percent for December 2003
at $0.72 cents per gallon.
The Company accounts for the derivative contracts entered into as trading contracts under FAS133,
and therefore records any settlements received or paid as an adjustment to the cost of fuel.
Changes in the fair value of the contracts attributable to changes in future prices are recorded
as nonoperating income. As a result, the fiscal fourth quarter 2003 results include an unrealized
derivative loss of $537,261 recorded in nonoperating income. There were no fuel hedges in effect
during the fiscal fourth quarter 2002.
In March 2003, the Company entered into an interest rate swap, effective April 1, 2003, that will
effectively fix the interest rate on the amortizing portion of the ATSB loan (principal loan
balance of $27 million) through June 2007. The $33 million balloon due June 30, 2007 remains at
a three-month floating LIBOR rate. The increase in the interest rate on the amortizing portion of
the loan over the float rate on the day the derivative contract became effective was 116 basis
points.
Business Developments
o Unveiled a simplified domestic pricing structure, reducing business and leisure fares
and capping fares at $499 one-way;
o Completed installation of DIRECTV equipment in all Airbus aircraft;
o Increased membership in the airline's frequent flyer program EarlyReturns 93 percent
from approximately 276,000 on March 31, 2002 to approximately 533,000 as of March 31, 2003;
o Increased the number of corporate and business accounts 38 percent from approximately 8,400
on March 31, 2002 to approximately 11,600 on March 31, 2003;
o Increased passenger connection opportunities 37 percent to 11.5 over the same period last
year, when the airline's passenger connection opportunities were 8.4;
o Increased the percentage of flown revenue generated from WWW.FRONTIERAIRLINES.COM from
23 percent during March 2002 to 31 percent during March 2003;
o Increased the amount of e-tickets as a percentage of total revenue to approximately 87
percent for the year ended March 31, 2003, up from 83 percent for the year ended March 31, 2002;
o For the fourth consecutive year, received the Federal Aviation Administration's Diamond
Award, which recognizes the airline's maintenance and engineering department for its
advanced maintenance education and training efforts.
The airline will host a conference call to discuss its quarterly earnings on May 23, 2003 at 9:00
a.m. MDT. The call is available via the World Wide Web on the airline's Web site at WWW.FRONTIERAIRLINES.COM.
A replay of the conference call, including the question and answer session, will be available at
HTTP://WWW.FRONTIERAIRLINES.COM/ABOUT/INVESTOR.ASP for 12 months.
About Frontier Airlines
Denver-based Frontier Airlines employs approximately 3,100 aviation professionals and is the
second largest jet service carrier at Denver International Airport. Frontier and its regional jet
partner Frontier JetExpress offer service to 38 cities. Frontier's fleet consists of 36 aircraft,
which feature a single-class configuration. In 2002, for the fourth consecutive year, Frontier's
maintenance and engineering department has received the Federal Aviation Administration's highest
award, the Diamond Certificate of Excellence. This award signifies 100 percent of the airline's
maintenance and engineering employees have completed advanced aircraft maintenance training programs.
In April 2002, Entrepreneur ranked Frontier one of two "Best Low-Fare Airlines." Frontier provides
capacity information and other corporate information on its Web site, which may be viewed at
WWW.FRONTIERAIRLINES.COM.
Legal Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
Frontier notes that this press release contains forward-looking statements and that certain
information contained in this press release involves risks and uncertainties that could result
in actual results differing materially from expected results. These statements include, but
are not limited to, discussions pertaining to Frontier's future revenue and liquidity, continuing
cost management, simplified fare structure, new branding campaign, expanding Frontier's service
into new markets, its conversion to an all Airbus fleet, and obtaining a long-term agreement
with a regional jet operator. Forward-looking statements represent the Company's expectations
and beliefs concerning future events, based on information available to the Company as of the date
of this press release. Forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties,
many of which cannot be predicted with accuracy and some of which might not even be anticipated.
Some of the factors that could significantly impact the forward-looking statements in this press
release include, but are not limited to: terrorist attacks or other incidents that could cause
the public to question the safety and/or efficiency of air travel; operational disruptions,
including weather; industry consolidation; the impact of labor issues; enhanced security
requirements; changes in the government's policy regarding relief to the airline industry;
the stability of the U.S. economy; the economic environment of the airline industry; the timing
of, and expense associated with, expansion and modification of our operations in accordance
with our business strategy or in response to competitive pressures or other factors; increased
federal scrutiny of low-fare carriers generally that may increase our operating costs or otherwise
adversely affect us; actions of competing airlines, such as increasing capacity and pricing actions
of United Airlines and other competitors; the availability of suitable aircraft, which may affect
our ability to achieve operating economies and implement our business strategy; the unavailability
of, or inability to secure upon acceptable terms, financing necessary to purchase aircraft that
we have ordered; issues relating to our transition to an Airbus aircraft fleet; uncertainties
regarding aviation fuel prices; and actions of the U.S. and local government and regulatory
agencies. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking
statements to reflect events or circumstances that may arise after the date of this press release.
Additional information regarding these and other factors may be contained in the Company's
SEC filings, including without limitation, the Company's 10-K for its fiscal year ended March 31,
2002; the Company's Form 10-Q for the quarter ended Dec. 31, 2002; the Company's Form 8-K filed
May 7, 2002 and the Company's Form 8-K filed January 22, 2002, as amended by the Company's Form
8-K/A filed July 11, 2002.
-Financial Tables To Follow-
FRONTIER AIRLINES, INC.
SELECTED BALANCE SHEET DATA
(In Thousands)
(unaudited)
March 31,
2003 2002
Balance Sheet Data:
Cash, cash equivalents and
short-term investments $ 104,880 $ 89,555
Current assets 190,838 193,393
Total assets 587,844 413,685
Current liabilities 130,047 152,064
Long-term debt, excluding current portion 261,739 66,832
Total liabilities 428,877 244,552
Stockholders' equity 158,967 169,133
Working capital $ 60,791 $ 41,329
Frontier Airlines, Inc.
Statement of Operations
(unaudited)
Three Months Ended Twelve Months Ended
March 31, March 31, March 31, March 31,
2003 2002 2003 2002
Revenues:
Passenger $ 460,187,753 $ 110,853,244 $460,187,753 $ 435,945,581
Cargo 5,557,153 1,816,698 5,557,153 6,623,665
Other 4,191,009 525,359 4,191,009 2,505,479
Total revenues 469,935,915 113,195,301 469,935,915 445,074,725
Operating expenses:
Flight operations 155,913,606 35,073,981 155,913,606 129,814,429
Aircuraft fuel expense 85,896,535 14,270,962 85,896,535 61,226,385
Aircraft and traffic
servicing 86,447,925 17,908,724 86,447,925 70,201,825
Maintenance 75,559,243 14,543,211 75,559,243 70,227,020
Promotion and sales 53,031,888 14,021,610 53,031,888 59,458,779
General and administrative 26,060,812 7,574,929 26,060,812 26,173,864
Depreciation and amortization 17,649,815 3,399,592 17,649,815 11,586,703
Total operating expenses 500,559,824 106,793,009 500,559,824 428,689,005
Operating income (loss) (30,623,909) 6,402,292 (30,623,909) 16,385,720
Nonoperating income (expense):
Interest income 1,882,691 914,805 1,882,691 4,388,249
Interest expense (8,041,412) (1,264,621) (8,041,412) (3,382,695)
Stabilization act compensation - 135,048 - 12,703,007
Early extinquishment of debt (1,774,311) - (1,774,311) -
Aircraft lease termination - (4,913,650) - (4,913,650)
Unrealized derivative losses (299,328) - (299,328) -
Other, net (652,897) (80,493) (652,897) (348,329)
Total nonoperating income
(expense) (8,885,257) (5,208,911) (8,885,257) 8,446,582
Income (loss) before income tax expense (benefit)
and cumulative effect of change in method of
accounting for maintenance (39,509,166) 1,193,381 (39,509,166) 24,832,302
Income tax expense (benefit) (14,655,366) 570,194 (14,655,366) 8,282,312
Income (loss) before cumulative
effect of change in accounting
principle $(24,853,800) $ 623,187 $(24,853,800) $ 16,549,990
Cumulative effect of change in method of
accounting for maintenance - - 2,010,672 -
Net income (loss) (24,853,800) $ 623,187 $(22,843,128) $ 16,549,990
============== ============== ============== ==============
(continued)
Frontier Airlines, Inc.
Statement of Operations (continued)
(unaudited)
Three Months Ended Twelve Months Ended
March 31, March 31, March 31, March 31,
2003 2002 2003 2002
Earnings (loss) per share:
Basic:
Income before cumulative
effect of change in
accounting principle $ (0.44) $ 0.02 $ (0.84) $ 0.58
Cumulative effect of
change in accounting
principle - - 0.07 -
Net earnings (loss) $ (0.44) $ 0.02 $ (0.77) $ 0.58
============== ============== ============== ==============
Diluted:
Income before cumulative
effect of change in
accounting principle $ (0.44) $ 0.02 $ (0.84) $ 0.56
Cumulative effect of
change in accounting
principle - - 0.07 -
Net earnings (loss $ (0.44) $ 0.02 $ (0.77) $ 0.56
============== ============== ============== ==============
Weighted average shares of
common stock outstanding
Basic 29,663,717 29,227,557 29,619,742 28,603,861
============== ============== ============== ==============
Diluted 29,663,717 30,397,199 29,619,742 29,515,150
============== ============== ============== ==============
Frontier Airlines, Inc.
Comparative Operating Statistics
(unaudited)
Three Months Ended Twelve Months Ended
March 31, March 31, March 31, March 31,
2003 2002 2003 2002
Passenger revenue (000s) $ 116,434 $ 110,853 $ 460,188 $ 435,946
Revenue passengers carried (000s) 1,011 797 3,926 3,069
Revenue passenger miles (RPMs) (000s) 910,331 718,077 3,599,553 2,756,965
Available seat miles (ASMs) (000s) 1,559,345 1,233,053 6,013,261 4,592,298
Passenger load factor 58.4% 58.2% 59.9% 60.0%
Break-even load factor (1) 67.8% 55.1% 64.7% 57.6%
Block hours 31,271 25,210 120,297 92,418
Fuel price per gallon $ 1.11 $ 0.77 $ 0.96 $ 0.87
Departures 13,792 11,290 53,081 41,736
Average seats per departure 133 132 132 132
Average stage length 850 827 858 834
Average length of haul 900 901 917 898
Average daily block hour utilization 9.7 9.5 9.8 9.1
Yield per RPM (cents) 12.76 15.43 12.74 15.78
Total yield per RPM (cents) 13.02 15.76 13.06 16.14
Yield per ASM (cents) 7.45 8.99 7.63 9.47
Total yield per ASM (cents) 7.60 9.18 7.81 9.69
Expense per ASM (cents) 8.75 8.66 8.32 9.33
Expense per ASM excluding fuel (cents) 7.14 7.50 6.90 8.00
Passenger revenue per block hour $ 3,723 $ 4,397 $ 3,825 $ 4,717
Average fare $ 108 $ 128 $ 109 $ 132
Average aircraft in service 35.8 29.4 33.8 27.8
Aircraft in service at end of period 36.0 30.0 36.0 30.0
Average age of aircraft at end of period 7.4 10.6 7.4 10.6
(1) The cost associated with the early extinguishment of debt totaling $1,774,000 has been
excluded from the break-even load factor calculation for the year ended March 31, 2003. The
write-down of the carrying values of the Boeing aircraft parts totaling $2,478,000 has been
excluded from the calculation of the break-even load factor for the quarter and year ended
March 31, 2003. The write-down of the carrying values of the Boeing aircraft parts totaling
$1,512,000 during the year ended March 31, 2002 has been excluded from the calculation of the
break-even load factor. The Stabilization Act compensation totaling $135,000 and $12,703,000
for the quarter and the year ended March 31, 2002, respectively, has been excluded from the
calculation of the break-even load factor.
