James Dempsey: The New Permanent CEO of Frontier Airlines
Frontier Airlines has officially appointed James G. Dempsey as its President and Chief Executive Officer, marking the end of speculation about the leadership of America’s ultra-low-cost carrier.
Frontier Group Holdings announced on January 8, 2026, that its Board of Directors elected Dempsey to the permanent role, effective immediately. In addition to his new role, Dempsey also joined the company’s Board of Directors. Dempsey had been serving as interim CEO since December 2025, following the departure of longtime chief executive Barry Biffle after nearly 12 years at the helm.
“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.”
Dempsey joined Frontier in 2014 as Chief Financial Officer and has held senior management positions at Ryanair Holdings and PricewaterhouseCoopers. His appointment comes as the Denver-based carrier faces profitability challenges amid shifting travel preferences and soft domestic demand in the ultra-low-cost segment.
The airline simultaneously announced updated fourth-quarter 2025 guidance, expecting adjusted earnings per share at the higher end of its targeted range of $0.04 to $0.20 based on strong revenue performance following the government shutdown. Frontier operates the largest Airbus A320neo family fleet in the U.S., serving 123 destinations across North America and beyond with nearly 8,000 employees.
Source: Frontier Group Holdings