Frontier Airlines Airfares Jump 71 Percent Amid Rising Fuel Costs

Frontier Airlines increased its average airfare by 71 percent during the third quarter, raising revenue per passenger to $67.82 from $39.74 the previous year. Total revenue per passenger, including fees, rose 30 percent to $138.22. Despite these price hikes, passenger volume grew 18 percent to more than 9.8 million people.

The airline's third-quarter loss widened to $104 million, compared to a $77 million loss in the same period last year. This financial decline was driven by an 82 percent surge in jet fuel costs, which reached $425 million.

Frontier has become the largest discount carrier in the United States following the collapse of Spirit Airlines in May. Looking ahead to the fourth quarter, the company forecast a potential shift toward adjusted profit, with expectations ranging from a 15-cent per share loss to earnings of 5 cents per share.