Initial Company Timelines Pushed Back While Lynx Continues to Move Forward with Certification Process
DENVER, Sept. 4 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Frontier Airlines Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: FRNT) subsidiary, Lynx Aviation, today reported a delay in its initially forecasted timeline for completion of certification. The Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) requires a new airline to achieve certification before it can begin flying commercially. Lynx initially expected certification prior to its published launch date of October 1, 2007.
"While we are certainly frustrated with the lack of timeliness in the certification process, we are very pleased with the progress we have made building this company and preparing for the future," said Tom Nunn, President of Lynx Aviation. "The employees of Lynx have worked tirelessly to ensure the success of this airline and we will continue to do all we can to meet and exceed the FAA's milestones and requirements so that we can begin flying as soon as possible."
While Lynx did establish that its Q400 aircraft will not be able to service Frontier's scheduled flights for Wichita, Rapid City, Sioux City, Albuquerque and Billings, Frontier customers will not be disrupted during this delay. Frontier will service those routes via existing E170 and CRJ-700 aircraft from its partners Republic Airways and Horizon Air, as well as with supplemental mainline Airbus service as needed.
Frontier estimates that its total Lynx pre-operating expenses in the December quarter will be approximately $8 million.