Frontier Airlines Names James Dempsey as New Chief Executive Officer

On January 8, 2026, Frontier Airlines announced that James Dempsey has been appointed as its new president and CEO.

Dempsey has been serving in an interim capacity since December 15, 2025, following the exit of long-time CEO Barry Biffle.

Since 2023, Dempsey held the role of President, overseeing Commercial, Customer Care, and Operations Research, Design, and Planning. Previously, he served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, including a period as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) from 2014 to 2019.

Dempsey’s background in the airline sector can be traced back to Ireland, where he was treasurer and led investor relations at the budget airline Ryanair.

Bill Franke, Chair of the Frontier Airlines Board of Directors, commented in the press release, “Jimmy has shown throughout his tenure at Frontier that he possesses the leadership qualities necessary to advance our airline. His knowledge will enable us to seize upcoming opportunities and maintain our competitive cost advantage.”

As Dempsey takes the helm from Biffle, who guided Frontier for nearly 12 years, he faces the challenge of navigating a competitive landscape where other low-cost airlines, including Spirit Airlines and Southwest Airlines, have been experiencing difficulties.

Some reports suggest that Frontier Airlines remains interested in acquiring Spirit Airlines, despite previous unsuccessful attempts, including a rejected bid in February 2025.

At the same time, Frontier Airlines has updated its earnings forecast for Q4 2025. The revised adjusted (non-GAAP) diluted earnings per share are now anticipated to be at the higher end of the previous estimate, ranging from $0.04 to $0.20 per share.