Editing Frontier Airlines (section)

=== 2000s ===
[[File:Airbus A318-111, Frontier Airlines AN0478347.jpg|thumb|Frontier Airbus A318 in the livery introduced in 2001. Frontier was the first operator of the A318.]]
Frontier took delivery of its first Airbus aircraft (an A319) in 2001 and simultaneously launched with it [[DirecTV]] in-flight television along with a new company livery. Frontier Airlines was the launch customer of the Airbus A318 in 2003.<ref>{{cite web |title=A318 |url=https://www.airbus.com/en/who-we-are/our-history/commercial-aircraft-history/previous-generation-aircraft/a318 |access-date=October 10, 2023 |website=Airbus.com |date=June 16, 2021 |publisher=Airbus |language=en}}</ref> In mid April 2005, Frontier officially became an all-Airbus fleet, retiring its last Boeing 737.<ref>{{cite web |title=Frontier adds 38th Airbus A319 to its fleet |url= https://www.bizjournals.com/denver/stories/2005/05/02/daily26.html |website= bizjournals.com |access-date=December 18, 2019}}</ref> Jeff Potter was appointed CEO in 2002.<ref name="McGill" />

As part of its plan to stay competitive in reaction to the entry of [[Southwest Airlines]] into Denver, the company underwent a reorganization early in 2006. On April 3, 2006, Frontier created [[Frontier Airlines Holdings]] (FRNT), a [[holding company]] [[incorporated in Delaware]] to take advantage of favorable tax laws in that state. The corporate headquarters did not leave Colorado.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.frontierairlines.com/frontier/who-we-are/company-info/fact-sheet.do |title=Fact Sheet |date=<!--copyright 2006--> |access-date= November 1, 2006 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20061017101623/http://www.frontierairlines.com/frontier/who-we-are/company-info/fact-sheet.do |archive-date=October 17, 2006 |url-status=dead |publisher=Frontier Airlines  }}{{self-published source|date=April 2018}}</ref><!-- citation covers the full paragraph --> In 2007, Frontier established a commuter airline subsidiary, '''Lynx Aviation''', Inc., chaired by Dr. Paul Stephen Dempsey.<ref name="McGill" /> Also that year, Jeff Potter left the company and was replaced by Air Canada's Sean Menke as CEO.<ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.aviationpros.com/home/news/10386507/after-a-round-trip-that-took-him-to-air-canada-and-back-president-and-ceo-sean-menke-is-frontier-airlines-new-flying-ace|work=aviationpros|title=Jeff Potter left the company and was replaced by Air Canada's Sean Menke as CEO}}</ref>

On January 24, 2007, Frontier was designated as a [[major carrier]] by the [[United States Department of Transportation]].<ref>{{cite press release |url= http://media.frontierairlines.com/article_display.cfm?article_id=4156 |title=Frontier Airlines Offers a Major Sale From a Major Airline! |publisher=Frontier Airlines |access-date=May 17, 2012 |url-status= dead |archive-url= https://archive.today/20120709225314/http://media.frontierairlines.com/article_display.cfm?article_id=4156 |archive-date=July 9, 2012 |date=January 24, 2007 }}{{self-published source|date=April 2018}}</ref>

On January 11, 2007, Frontier Airlines signed an 11-year service agreement with [[Republic Airways]]. Under the agreement, Republic was to operate 17 76-seat [[Embraer 170]] aircraft for the former Frontier JetExpress operations. At the time the contract was canceled in April 2008, Republic Airways operated 11 aircraft for Frontier Airlines, with the remaining six aircraft expected to join the fleet by December 2008. With the integration of Republic aircraft, the 'JetExpress' denotation was removed. Subsequent to the cessation of Horizon's services for Frontier in December 2007, all flights operated by Republic were sold and marketed as "Frontier Airlines, operated by Republic Airways."<ref>{{cite news |title=Frontier Airlines signs up Republic as regional carrier |url= https://www.newspapers.com/image/539532906/?terms=Frontier%2BAirlines |access-date=January 3, 2020 |via=Newspapers.com |issue=January 12, 2007 |work=The Daily Sentinel |language=en}}</ref> The first market created specifically for the Embraer 170 was Louisville, Kentucky, which began on April 1, 2007. Service to Louisville was suspended in August 2008 but restarted in April 2010.<ref>{{cite news |title= Frontier to return with daily flight to Denver |url= https://www.newspapers.com/image/181484510/?terms=Frontier%2BAirlines%2BLouisville |access-date=January 3, 2020 |via=Newspapers.com |date= October 23, 2009 |work=The Courier-Journal |language=en}}</ref>

Flights operated by Republic Airlines offered in-flight snack and beverage services similar to Frontier's mainline flights. Unlike Frontier's aircraft and due to the nature of contracting with regional carriers, these Embraer 170 aircraft were not fitted with [[LiveTV]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Frontier Sends Roomier Jet to El Paso |url= https://www.newspapers.com/image/432663225/?terms=frontier%2Bairlines%2Bembraer%2B170%2Brepublic |access-date=December 18, 2019 |via= Newspapers.com |issue=March 7, 2007 |work=El Paso Times |language= en}}</ref>

On April 10, 2008, Frontier filed for [[Chapter 11 bankruptcy]] in reaction to the intent of its credit card processor, [[First Data]], to withhold significant proceeds from ticket sales.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Bowley |first1= Graham |title=Frontier Airlines Files for Bankruptcy |url= https://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/12/business/12frontiercnd.html |access-date=January 28, 2020 |work=The New York Times |date=April 12, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |title=Airways: A Global Review of Commercial Flight, Volume 15 |year=2008 |publisher=Airways International, Incorporated |page=15 |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=LkYtAQAAMAAJ&q=On+April+10,+2008,+Frontier+airlines+Chapter+11+bankruptcy+first+data+ticket+sales |access-date=January 28, 2020 |language=en}}</ref> First Data decided that it would withhold 100% of the carrier's proceeds from ticket sales beginning May 1.<ref name="fstdataregrt">{{cite news| url= http://www.bizjournals.com/denver/stories/2008/04/07/daily72.html |title=First Data offers regrets about Frontier Airlines|last1= Leavitt|first1=Noelle|date=April 11, 2008|work=Denver Business Journal|access-date=April 10, 2008|last2=McGaw|first2=Renee|url-access=limited}}</ref> According to Frontier's press release, "This change in practice would have represented a material change to our cash forecasts and business plan. Unchecked, it would have put severe restraints on Frontier's liquidity..." Its operation continued uninterrupted, though, as Chapter 11 bankruptcy protected the [[corporation]]'s assets and allowed restructuring to ensure long-term viability.<ref>{{cite web |date=April 11, 2008 |title=Frontier Airlines Not Grounded Yet |url=https://www.forbes.com/2008/04/11/frontier-airline-update-markets-equity-cx_mlm_0411markets24.html?sh=3c44c0beedd1 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200128234134/https://www.forbes.com/topstories/2008/04/11/frontier-airline-update-markets-equity-cx_mlm_0411markets24.html/ |archive-date=January 28, 2020 |access-date=October 11, 2023 |work=[[Forbes]]}}</ref> After months of losses, Frontier Airlines reported that they made their first profit during the month of November 2008, reporting {{US$|2.9 million}} in net income for the month.<ref>{{cite news |last=Vuong |first=Andy |date=January 28, 2009 |title=Frontier reports record profit in December |work=[[The Denver Post]] |url=https://www.denverpost.com/2009/01/28/frontier-reports-record-profit-in-december/ |access-date=October 11, 2023}}</ref>

On June 22, 2009, Frontier Airlines announced that, pending bankruptcy court approval, [[Republic Airways Holdings]], the Indianapolis-based parent company of Republic Airways, would acquire all assets of Frontier for the amount of $108&nbsp;million. Thus, Frontier Airlines would become a wholly owned subsidiary of Republic.<ref>{{Cite press release|title=Republic Airways to Serve as Equity Sponsor for Frontier's Exit from Bankruptcy|date=June 22, 2009| publisher=Republic Airways Holdings| location=Indianapolis |url= http://www.republicair.com/pdf/F9.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110715173850/http://www.republicair.com/pdf/F9.pdf|archive-date=July 15, 2011}}</ref> However, five weeks later on July 30, Dallas-based [[Southwest Airlines]] announced that it would be making a competing bid of $113.6&nbsp;million for Frontier with intentions to also operate Frontier as a wholly owned subsidiary, but that it would gradually fold Frontier resources into current Southwest operating assets.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Maynard |first1=Micheline |title=Southwest Airlines Set to Make a Counteroffer for Frontier |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/31/business/31air.html |access-date=January 28, 2020 |work=The New York Times |date=July 30, 2009}}</ref>

During a bankruptcy auction on August 13, 2009, Republic Airways Holdings acquired Frontier Airlines and its regional airline, [[Lynx Aviation]], as wholly owned subsidiaries.<ref>{{cite news |last= |date=August 14, 2009 |title=Republic completes buy of Frontier Air |work=[[Reuters]] |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-republic-frontier-idUKTRE59048E20091001 |access-date=October 11, 2023}}</ref> On October 1, Republic completed the transaction, and Frontier officially exited bankruptcy as a new airline.<ref>{{Cite news |last= |first= |date=October 1, 2009 |title=Frontier Airlines emerges from bankruptcy |work=[[Cleveland]] |url=https://www.cleveland.com/business/2009/10/frontier_airlines_emerges_from.html |access-date=October 11, 2023}}</ref>

In late 2009, Republic began to consolidate administrative positions and moved 140 jobs from the Frontier Airlines Denver headquarters to Indianapolis.<ref>{{Cite news| url= https://www.bizjournals.com/denver/stories/2009/12/07/daily26.html| title=More Frontier Airlines jobs leaving Denver|last=Sealover|first= Ed| date=December 8, 2009|work=Denver Business Journal|access-date= April 28, 2018|url-access=limited}}</ref> Shortly after in January 2010, Republic Airways announced that it would move all of its executives to Indianapolis.<ref>{{cite news |title=Republic Airlines Moving Executives to Indianapolis |url= https://www.newspapers.com/image/310723044/?terms=Republic%2BAirways%2Bexecutives%2Bto%2BIndianapolis |access-date=January 29, 2020 |via=Newspapers.com |issue=January 15, 2010 | work=The Times |place= Munster, Indiana |language=en}}</ref> Later in February, the ''[[Denver Business Journal]]'' stated that the headquarters would be moved "soon".<ref>Harden, Mark. "[http://denver.bizjournals.com/denver/stories/2010/02/15/daily2.html DIA fare wars: Frontier Airlines offers summer discounts to 7 new destinations]." ''[[Denver Business Journal]]''. February 15, 2010. Retrieved February 17, 2010. "Frontier is a unit of Republic Airways Holdings Co., based in Indianapolis. Frontier's headquarters will be moving soon to that city."{{Registration required}}</ref> Despite this, according to the ''Denver Business Journal'', Frontier Airlines will still maintain a local headquarters in Denver to house Training, Marketing, Customer Reservations, and Scheduling & Planning teams after extending its lease on the building through 2020.{{citation needed|date = July 2017}}

In 2010, Frontier's then-CEO [[Bryan Bedford]] took part in the reality TV show ''[[Undercover Boss (American TV series)|Undercover Boss]]''.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Mandell |first=Lisa Johnson |date=October 16, 2010 |title=Frontier Airlines' Bryan Bedford: Riskiest Undercover Boss Yet |work=[[Yahoo Finance]] |url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/2010-10-15-undercover-boss-frontier-airlines-bryan-bedford.html |access-date=October 12, 2023}}</ref>

As Republic Airways Holdings was in the process of bidding to acquire Frontier in 2009, it was also in the process of acquiring Milwaukee-based [[Midwest Airlines]]. Through the fall and winter of 2009, Republic operated its two new acquisitions as separate brands. However, to improve efficiency by better matching aircraft capacity to route demand, Republic began to intermix the fleets of the two airlines, swapping a portion of its higher-capacity planes from Frontier with its smaller-capacity planes from Midwest and vice versa. However, the move caused some confusion amongst the public, as the two brands did not offer the same amenities and did not match the amenities mentioned on the airfare. As a result, in the spring of 2010, Frontier and Midwest Airlines announced that their brands would merge, with Frontier being the surviving brand.<ref>{{cite news |last=Tabor |first=KellyHeffernan |date=April 13, 2010 |title=Midwest Airlines New Name: Frontier Airlines |work=wfmynews2.com |publisher=[[WFMY-TV]] |url=https://www.wfmynews2.com/article/news/midwest-airlines-new-name-frontier-airlines/83-401741615 |access-date=October 10, 2023}}</ref> This was a merger of brands only—no Midwest Airlines aircraft was ever operated by Frontier, as by this time, all Midwest Airlines flights were operated on its behalf by other Republic Airways Holdings subsidiaries.<ref>{{cite news |title=Republic putting on a new face |url= https://www.newspapers.com/image/126291399/?terms=Frontier%2BAirlines%2Bbrand%2Bmerger%2BMidwest |access-date=January 3, 2020 |via= Newspapers.com | work=The Indianapolis Star |date=March 21, 2010 |language=en}}</ref>

On April 13, 2011, Frontier formed a new subsidiary, '''Frontier Express''', that was planned to operate the airline's smaller aircraft with different services than those available on full-size aircraft.<ref>{{cite news |date=April 13, 2011 |title=Frontier Airlines Cuts Fee For Changing Tickets |work=[[CBS News]] |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/colorado/news/frontier-airlines-cuts-fee-for-changing-tickets/ |url-status=live |access-date=October 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110418120233/http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2011/04/13/travel/main20053727.shtml |archive-date=April 18, 2011}}</ref>