Latest news with #Biffle
Hindustan Times
4 days ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Frontier Airlines warns of major US flight cuts: Here's how travelers could be impacted
Frontier Airlines, the eighth-largest carrier in the United States, has issued a stark warning that could affect millions of domestic passengers. In its second-quarter 2025 earnings report, the airline posted $929 million in revenue but a $70 million net loss, reported Plunge Daily. Frontier Airline CEO predicted more reductions in flights in domestic travel in US(X/Frontier Airlines) In spite of the setback, CEO Barry L Biffle insisted results were within the company's guidance and reaffirmed that Frontier is on track for profitability in 2026. However, Biffle, during the earnings call, made a blunt forecast. He was quoted in a Plunge Daily report saying that the aviation industry will be seeing continued reductions. Why are airlines pulling back on flights? Biffle explained that domestic air travel in the United States is no longer profitable for many carriers, once code-sharing and international routes are excluded, the report added. He said the supply is greater in comparison to demand and added that many domestic flights are currently operating at a loss. As a result, Frontier and other airlines are expected to scale back their US route networks. The cuts will likely focus on less-popular travel days, off-peak times, and smaller markets. Also Read: How loyalty programmes are keeping America's airlines aloft United Airlines echoes the warning Another report in The Street quoted United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby backing Biffle's assessment. Kirby said that a 'double-digit percentage' of routes operated by many carriers outside of United and Delta lose money. Kirby was quoted in the report as saying that the only way for the airlines to make a profit is by stopping flights to places that lose money. He added that route reductions are inevitable. What will be the impact on travelers? For passengers, these cuts could mean that they would have fewer flight time options, particularly during off-peak hours, reduced service to smaller airports, higher fares on remaining flights, and more crowded peak travel periods, the IB Times report stated. According to the report, budget carriers like Spirit Airlines have already begun trimming less-popular flights. Travelers who typically book midweek or early-morning departures may soon find these options disappearing. Frontier's current position Despite challenges, Frontier is expanding strategically, and it recently added 35 new routes and took delivery of fuel-efficient Airbus A321neos. The airline is focusing on the Eastern and Midwestern US, aiming for mid-to-high single-digit growth in revenue per available seat mile in the coming quarter, the Plunge Daily report added. However, Biffle's warning reflected a broader industry shift where the airlines are prioritising profitability over offering abundant route choices. Also Read: United Airlines shares positive update for mid-air travelers amid massive system outage, ground stop If these predictions hold, air travel within the country in 2026 and later could consist of fewer flights and possibly higher fares. Travelers are advised by experts to book early, to look for alternative airports, and to be flexible with the schedule. The days of cheap domestic flights, particularly during the off-peak season, could be numbered. FAQs Why is Frontier Airlines cutting flights? Frontier Airlines is cutting flights because many domestic routes are unprofitable due to oversupply and weaker demand, making it financially unsustainable to operate them. Will other airlines cut flights too? Yes. United Airlines and other carriers have signaled similar plans to reduce capacity on loss-making routes. When will these changes take effect? Gradual reductions could begin in late 2025, with more significant cuts expected in 2026. Which flights will be affected first? Off-peak routes, midweek departures, smaller airports, and less-popular travel times are most at risk.
NBC News
13-04-2025
- Business
- NBC News
Frontier CEO is 'optimistic' about tourism industry despite economic uncertainty
Despite a downturn in foreign tourism and broader economic uncertainty, Frontier CEO Barry Biffle remains optimistic about the budget airline's future. 'People think that there's some kind of Armageddon going to happen,' Biffle said in an exclusive interview with 'NBC Nightly News' correspondent Hallie Jackson that airs on Sunday. 'I think that as we look here today, I'm optimistic.' Travel experts have been sounding the alarm amid President Donald Trump's global trade war, warning that a year that was initially projected to be profitable for the tourism industry could instead face an economic downturn. Before Trump announced a 90 - day pause on most of his proposed tariffs, Delta CEO Ed Bastian told CNBC last week that air travel has all but stalled for both leisure and business travel. 'I think everyone's prepared for uncertainty,' Bastian said. 'If that continues, and we don't get resolution soon, we probably will end up in a recession.' Biffle acknowledged the bleak outlook shared by those in the airline industry. 'What's become clear is, obviously, there's been some challenges with travel demand, and we've seen it in all industries now. Hotels, airlines, cruise lines are seeing less bookings,' he said. However, Biffle believes that Frontier's ultra-low-cost model positions it to thrive, especially as consumers become more price-conscious. He likens Frontier's appeal to that of retailers like Walmart, suggesting that when the economy is down, value-oriented businesses tend to perform better. 'What's happened is there's going to be a massive reversal of fortune,' he said. 'Over the last several years, the legacy carriers have done very, very well at the expense of us, but there's now too much domestic supply.' 'In any type of recessionary or kind of economic challenge environment — the 'Walmart effect,' you know — businesses like ours do well,' he added. Amid economic uncertainty and stricter immigration policies, overseas travelers are increasingly canceling trips to the U.S. According to the National Travel and Tourism Office, international travel to the U.S. was down 12% in March compared to a year ago. 'Right now, we're seeing boycott travel to the United States out of Europe,' Biffle said. 'So can you imagine maybe not 70% — if it's just down 20%, that's a massive market. This is a huge challenge.' Biffle predicted that the hottest travel spots for Americans this summer will be domestic locations. 'Domestic is en vogue again because of a lot of things going on in the marketplace,' he said. 'And so I think you're going to see a lot of people travel all over the United States this summer.' To adapt to current market conditions, Frontier is implementing strategic changes. The airline has revamped its pricing strategy by introducing bundled fare options, including offerings with extra legroom and empty middle seats. Frontier also plans to attract more domestic travelers by offering first-class seats later this year. Additionally, Biffle touted the airline's plans to eliminate bag fees this summer. The bag fee move appeared to be aimed at Frontier competitor Southwest Airlines, which announced last month that it would begin charging for checked bags. The decision sparked outrage among consumers. Biffle also raised worries about a shortage of U.S. air traffic controllers, a concern shared by aviation safety experts particularly following the fatal midair collision between an American Airlines passenger jet and an Army helicopter in January. 'On a normal day with no weather, it's generally not that big of a challenge,' Biffle said. 'However, I'll take Florida as an example — Christmas, New Year's, Presidents Day, spring break, weekends, if you mix any kind of weather with that, we have cancelations across the industry, and the reason for it is we exceed the capabilities of all of the air traffic controllers there.' But Biffle said he is confident the Trump administration is working to reduce the shortage, and he maintained that air travel is 'the safest way to travel, and I think that we're getting safer.'
Fox Sports
06-04-2025
- Automotive
- Fox Sports
Hamlin takes the lead out of pits and holds off Byron in overtime to win at Darlington Raceway.
Associated Press DARLINGTON, S.C. (AP) — Denny Hamlin took the lead coming out of the pits before a final overtime finish and held off William Byron to win the Goodyear 400 at Darlington Raceway on Sunday. Hamlin won for a second straight week after his success at Martinsville and for the fifth time overall at Darlington, the most of any current driver. Hamlin chose the outside lane for a final restart and shot out to the lead and pulled away from series points leader Byron and NASCAR wins leader Christopher Bell. Hamlin looked like he'd have a strong finish, but not a winning one as Ryan Blaney passed Tyler Reddick for the lead with three laps left. But moments later, Kyle Larson spun out forcing a final caution and the extra laps. It was then time for Hamlin's Joe Gibbs Racing pit crew to shine as it got him out quickly and in the lead. Byron, who led the first 243 laps, was second with Hamlin's JGR teammate Bell in third. 'There are two people I really love right now, my pit crew and Kyle Larson,' Hamlin said to a round of boos from those in the stands. Reddick was fourth and Blaney was fifth. Bad day Kyle Larson, who won the Southern 500 here in 2023, had high hopes for a second Darlington win. But he slid into the inside wall coming off the second turn on lap three and went right to garage where his team worked the next couple of hours to get him back on track. Larson returned on lap 164 after falling 161 laps off the pace. Larson finished next to last in 37th. Biffle's ride Greg Biffle, the last NASCAR driver to win consecutive Cup Series victories at Darlington in 2006 and 2007, drove the pace car for the Goodyear 400 on Sunday. Biffle has had an eventful few months, flying rescue missions with his helicopter into areas of the Southeast affected by devastating Hurricane Helene in September. Biffle was planning a weeklong trip to the Bahamas when his phone started going off about people stranded in parts of Western North Carolina. 'I went to the hangar and the power was out,' Biffle said. 'We got the hangar down open with the tug and got the helicopter out. Once I got in the air, I realized what had taken place." Biffle then flew the next 11 days from 'sunup to sundown." 'It was incredible,' Biffle said. 'It was pretty tough going for the first week.' Biffle won the Myers Brothers Humanitarian Award for his work. Up next The series goes to Bristol on April 13 before taking its traditional Easter break. ___ AP NASCAR: recommended
Associated Press
06-04-2025
- Automotive
- Associated Press
Hamlin takes the lead out of pits and holds off Byron in overtime to win at Darlington Raceway.
DARLINGTON, S.C. (AP) — Denny Hamlin took the lead coming out of the pits before a final overtime finish and held off William Byron to win the Goodyear 400 at Darlington Raceway on Sunday. Hamlin won for a second straight week after his success at Martinsville and for the fifth time overall at Darlington, the most of any current driver. Hamlin chose the outside lane for a final restart and shot out to the lead and pulled away from series points leader Byron and NASCAR wins leader Christopher Bell. Hamlin looked like he'd have a strong finish, but not a winning one as Ryan Blaney passed Tyler Reddick for the lead with three laps left. But moments later, Kyle Larson spun out forcing a final caution and the extra laps. It was then time for Hamlin's Joe Gibbs Racing pit crew to shine as it got him out quickly and in the lead. Byron, who led the first 243 laps, was second with Hamlin's JGR teammate Bell in third. 'There are two people I really love right now, my pit crew and Kyle Larson,' Hamlin said to a round of boos from those in the stands. Reddick was fourth and Blaney was fifth. Bad day Kyle Larson, who won the Southern 500 here in 2023, had high hopes for a second Darlington win. But he slid into the inside wall coming off the second turn on lap three and went right to garage where his team worked the next couple of hours to get him back on track. Larson returned on lap 164 after falling 161 laps off the pace. Larson finished next to last in 37th. Biffle's ride Greg Biffle, the last NASCAR driver to win consecutive Cup Series victories at Darlington in 2006 and 2007, drove the pace car for the Goodyear 400 on Sunday. Biffle has had an eventful few months, flying rescue missions with his helicopter into areas of the Southeast affected by devastating Hurricane Helene in September. Biffle was planning a weeklong trip to the Bahamas when his phone started going off about people stranded in parts of Western North Carolina. 'I went to the hangar and the power was out,' Biffle said. 'We got the hangar down open with the tug and got the helicopter out. Once I got in the air, I realized what had taken place.' Biffle then flew the next 11 days from 'sunup to sundown.' 'It was incredible,' Biffle said. 'It was pretty tough going for the first week.' Biffle won the Myers Brothers Humanitarian Award for his work.
CBS News
18-03-2025
- Business
- CBS News
Frontier offers free checked bag promotion to entice angry Southwest customers
Frontier Airlines is introducing a free checked bag promotion in an effort to poach former Southwest passengers frustrated by the airline's decision to ditch its longstanding "bags fly free" policy. Called "Your New Love," the limited-time deal includes a free carry-on plus a free checked bag with use of a promo code. Seat selection and flight changes are also free, according to Frontier. "We've always had heart," Frontier Airlines CEO Barry Biffle said in a statement Tuesday. "Some airlines are walking away from what travelers love, but we're running towards it. Think of this as the ultimate 'divorce your old airline' deal. If travelers show us the love, we'll make these perks permanent." The deal is valid for flights departing May 28 — the same day Southwest says it will start charging customers to check in their bags — through Aug. 18. To take advantage of the deal, bookings must be made by March 24, using the promo code FREEBAG. Biffle said that while the deal is temporary for now, it could become permanent if it proves to be a hit. Frontier's pitch to travelers comes days after Southwest announced it would start making customers pay for checked bags , ending its free checked bags policy for the first time in the airline's 54-year history. Beginning May 28, only Southwest's most elite Rapid Rewards A-List Preferred members and Business Select passengers will be able to check two bags for free. Frequent flyer A-List Members, Southwest-branded credit card holders and other select customers will be allowed one free checked bag. All other passengers will have to pay to check in one or more bags on flights booked on or after May 28, according to the carrier. Many Southwest loyalists lamented the move, which they say set the airline apart from its competition. "Why would we still fly Southwest, because now they're just going to be same as every other flight," Southwest customer Howie Baker told CBS Colorado . "So whichever one is going to be cheaper and first is the one that we'll choose." Budget airlines like Southwest and Frontier have struggled to appeal to customers following the pandemic, as consumer preferences shift toward more premium offerings.
