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Frontier Airlines files for bankruptcy in US

Frontier Airlines Holdings Inc has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, but unlike other airlines filing for bankruptcy in recent weeks, it plans to keep running while it reorganizes.

The low-fare carrier said its filing yesterday came after an unexpected attempt by its principal credit card processor to start withholding significant proceeds from the sale of Frontier tickets, which threatened to hurt Frontier’s liquidity.

The Chapter 11 filing at the US Bankruptcy Court in New York prevents the credit card processor from increasing its “holdback,” Frontier chief executive officer Sean Menke said.

“By filing for Chapter 11, we will now have the time and legal protection necessary to obtain additional financing and enhance our liquidity. Fortunately, we believe that we currently have adequate cash on hand to meet our operating needs while we take steps to further strengthen our company,” Menke said in a statement.

Frontier, whose major hub is in Denver, has been affected as other airlines have by rising fuel costs and the credit crisis in financial markets.

ATA Airlines, Skybus and Aloha Airgroup all have filed for bankruptcy recently, but Menke said Frontier’s reasons for doing so were different.

“Unfortunately, our principal credit card processor very recently and unexpectedly informed us that, beginning on April 11, it intended to start withholding significant proceeds received from the sale of Frontier tickets,” he said.

“This change in established practices would have represented a material change to our cash forecasts and business plan. Unchecked, it would have put severe restraints on Frontier’s liquidity and would have made it impossible for us to continue normal operations,” Menke said.

He said Frontier was prepared to litigate, if necessary.

A spokesman for the company said earlier this week that the airline had “no concerns about bankruptcy,” but added that it was working on strengthening its cash position.

Last month, Frontier said that it had agreed to sell four planes as it dealt with rising fuel costs.
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