In an announcement on January 8, 2026, Frontier Airlines confirmed James Dempsey as its new president and CEO.
Dempsey has already held this position in an interim capacity since December 15, 2025, following the departure of long-time CEO Barry Biffle.
Since 2023, Dempsey had also held the position of President, with direct responsibility for Commercial, Customer Care and Operations Research, Design and Planning functions. Prior to that, he had also held the roles of Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at the airline, and between 2014 and 2019, that of Chief Financial Officer (CFO).
Dempsey’s experience in the airline industry stretches all the way back to its country of origin, Ireland, where he also served as treasurer and head of investor relations at low-cost giant Ryanair.
“Jimmy [Dempsey] has demonstrated over his more than a decade at Frontier that he’s the right leader to drive our airline forward. His expertise will help us capitalize on the opportunities we see ahead, preserve our industry-leading cost advantage and guide Frontier into the future.” stated Bill Franke, Chair of Frontier Airlines Board of Directors, in the press release announcing the leadership changes.
Upon replacing Biffle, who had lead Frontier Airlines for nearly 12 years, Dempsey will have to steer the carrier within a market in which several fellow US low-cost carriers, such as Spirit Airlines and Southwest Airlines, have recently been struggling.
In this regard, some media reports have pointed out that Frontier Airlines may have not given up on the idea of acquiring Spirit Airlines. Previous acquisition attempts have all been rebuffed, the latest in February 2025.
Coinciding with change at the top, Frontier Airlines also issued revised earnings guidance for Q4 2025. Adjusted (non-GAAP) diluted earnings per share now expected to be at the higher end of the previous $0.04 to $0.20-per-share range.