Frontier Airlines today made
history as it celebrated its first-ever 10th birthday. The celebration,
which will last the full month of July, began today with several events at
Frontier’s Denver (DEN) hub including recognition of Frontier’s 25
millionth passenger who received round-trip tickets, a free hotel stay at
any Millennium Hotel nationwide, and a gift bag of Frontier goodies. The
passenger, traveling from Phoenix, was surprised at the gate by Frontier
CEO Jeff Potter, as she deplaned. At a press conference held at 10:00 am MDT, the airline unveiled the
10-year commemorative painting it commissioned from local Colorado artist
Ray Shaw (photo of painting available at
http://www.frontierairlines.com/images/painting.jpg ). A framed print of
the four by five foot painting was presented to Denver Mayor John
Hickenlooper, who declared July 5 to be “Frontier Airlines Day” in Denver.
Following the press conference, passengers and employees were treated to
ice cream and airplane cookies as well as the music of Colorado favorite
the Hazel Miller Band, and free gifts from Frontier including $50
vouchers, Frontier clothes, and other gifts.

The party will continue on July 16 and 17 as Frontier celebrates its
employees with a weekend of events. On July 16, Frontier will host an
employee event at the Denver Zoo, which the airline anticipates will be
attended by more than 4,000 Frontier employees, family members and
partners. The following Saturday, July 17, the company will host a day at
Coors Field with free tickets for employees to see the Rockies play the
San Francisco Giants.

The story of Frontier’s past 10 years is one of success in the face of
difficult odds in an often-tumultuous industry. Founded in 1994 with only
$516,000 in start up or “seed” capital, Frontier posted revenues of $643.7
million in its most recent fiscal year. Frontier has grown from two
aircraft and 180 employees to a fleet of 46 aircraft, the majority of
which are new, and an employee base of 4,500. The airline once served only
a handful of small communities in the Midwest and West, and now flies to
43 destinations in 24 states, as well as internationally to five
destinations in Mexico.

“In an industry that has seen a great deal of economic turmoil over the
past decade, it is quite noteworthy to be able to wish Frontier’s 4,500
employees a ‘Happy 10th Birthday,’” said Mayor Hickenlooper. “We are proud
to have an industry leader like Frontier call Denver home, and we look
forward to many more years of continued success for Frontier, Denver
International Airport and the Denver metro area.”

“First and foremost, my humble thanks goes to the outstanding employees of
this great company for guiding us to our tenth year,” said Potter. “It is
the leadership, dedication to excellence, and great skill of our employees
that has created one of the finest airlines in the industry.”

Potter continued, “It is important to note that this milestone has
significance for our employees that far exceeds what might externally
appear to be just another year in our operations. Of our original 180
employees, 100 are still with Frontier and have seen this company through
good times and bad. And each of the 4,320 employees we have added since
July 5, 1994 has contributed to the success we have achieved. It is my
hope that every one of our employees celebrates today and recognizes the
accomplishments that today’s milestone represents. And then, when they
wake up tomorrow, I hope they ready themselves for the next ten because it
is guaranteed to be just as wild a ride.”
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