DENVER- Frontier Airlines (F9) has made significant modifications to its outstanding Airbus aircraft order and has canceled its A321XLR order.
The ultra-low-cost carrier operates an all-Airbus A320-family fleet. Before the pandemic, Frontier had ambitious growth plans, given the strong performance of ultra-low-cost airlines. However, the airline has struggled with profitability in recent years and has now revised its outstanding aircraft orders.
Frontier Cancels A321XLR Order
The carrier has updated its agreement to cancel plans for the Airbus A321XLR and instead acquire more A321neo aircraft.
The A321XLR is Airbus’ new long-range variant of the A320 family, enabling airlines to operate “long and thin” routes. Frontier was the first U.S. airline to order this model, with plans to acquire 18 of the aircraft.
However, Frontier has now decided to forgo the A321XLR in favor of more standard A321neo deliveries. This decision is not surprising given the airline’s recent profitability challenges.
During the Routes World 2022 conference in Las Vegas, Frontier CEO Barry Biffle stated that the A321XLR “will enable us to fly to Europe, Hawaii, and deeper into South America.”
Biffle confirmed that flying transatlantic is “definitely in consideration” for the airline. He revealed that during the conference, he had spoken to a representative from Ireland’s Shannon Airport (SNN), who was “hitting me up because he knows we’ve got the XLR coming.”
Biffle added that service to SNN “would be of interest,” although he emphasized that no decisions have been made regarding potential transatlantic routes.
Airbus Defers Delivery
As reported by Ishrion Aviation, Frontier has made the following changes to its Airbus deliveries, which consist of A320neo and A321neo aircraft:
- In 2025, Frontier’s order decreased from 42 to 21 aircraft, a reduction of 21 planes.
- In 2026, the order decreased from 41 to 22 aircraft, a reduction of 19 planes.
- In 2027, the order decreased from 42 to 34 aircraft, a reduction of 8 planes.
- In 2028, the order decreased from 40 to 34 aircraft, a reduction of 6 planes.
- In 2029, the order increased from 22 to 36 aircraft, an addition of 14 planes.
- In 2030 and beyond, Frontier’s order increased by 40 aircraft.
In summary, Frontier is deferring 54 aircraft deliveries originally scheduled for 2025-2028 to 2029 and beyond. This reflects the airline’s need to adjust its fleet plan amid ongoing profitability challenges.
JetBlue and Spirit Defers Airbus Delivery
Frontier is not the first airline to defer Airbus orders, Spirit Airlines (NK) reported that it will defer deliveries of Airbus A320neo-family jets amid competitive pressures and Pratt & Whitney engine issues.
The U.S. budget carrier is pushing back deliveries scheduled for July 2025 to the end of 2026 through 2030 and 2031. This decision affects six aircraft, according to Cirium data.
Spirit Airlines reported a $193 million loss in the second quarter of 2024, with first-half losses totaling $336 million. The airline attributes these financial challenges to an oversupply of industry capacity relative to leisure demand.
This move follows JetBlue Airways’ (B6) similar decision to delay the delivery of 44 A321neos until 2030 and later. Both airlines face operational disruptions due to Pratt & Whitney’s recall of PW1100G geared turbofan engines.
These engines, which power the A320neo-family aircraft, require early inspections and part replacements due to manufacturing issues involving powdered metal.
Spirit anticipates 20 of its jets will be grounded through the end of 2024, representing about 20% of its A320neo-family fleet and 10% of its total fleet. The airline projects this impact to worsen in 2025, with 25 grounded aircraft in early 2025, increasing to 67 by year-end.
The extended downtime, over 400 days per engine, is hampered by part shortages and insufficient maintenance-shop capacity. This significantly impacts Spirit’s operational capacity and flexibility.
What are your thoughts on Frontier’s decision to Defer Airbus Delivery? Let us know in the comments.
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