-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, LJIJU+fO3zhUNaaS4NuwQDsHctjCSY2DD+PonrpRZGPipnLPpXHQAMCsd0EU2fYg eIeD2/RlwDRWIxh4l642jg== 0001035704-03-000686.txt : 20030919 0001035704-03-000686.hdr.sgml : 20030919 20030919144313 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0001035704-03-000686 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 8-K PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 2 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20030918 ITEM INFORMATION: Other events ITEM INFORMATION: Financial statements and exhibits FILED AS OF DATE: 20030919 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: FRONTIER AIRLINES INC /CO/ CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000921929 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: AIR TRANSPORTATION, SCHEDULED [4512] IRS NUMBER: 841256945 STATE OF INCORPORATION: CO FISCAL YEAR END: 0331 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 8-K SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 001-12805 FILM NUMBER: 03902505 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 7001 TOWER ROAD CITY: DENVER STATE: CO ZIP: 80249 BUSINESS PHONE: 7203744200 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 7001 TOWER ROAD CITY: DENVER STATE: CO ZIP: 80249 8-K 1 d09155e8vk.htm FORM 8-K e8vk
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Item 5. Other Events and Regulation FD Disclosure.
RISK FACTORS
Item 7. Financial Statements, Pro Forma Financial Information and Exhibits.
SIGNATURES
EXHIBIT INDEX
EX-1.1 Underwriting Agreement


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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

Current Report
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (date of earliest event reported): September 18, 2003

FRONTIER AIRLINES, INC

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
         
Colorado   0-24126   84-1256945

 
 
(State or other
jurisdiction
of incorporation)
  (Commission
File Number)
  (I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
     
7001 Tower Road, Denver, CO   80249

 
(Address of principal executive offices)   (zip code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (720) 374-4200

Not Applicable
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

 


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Item 5. Other Events and Regulation FD Disclosure.

     On September 18, 2003, Frontier Airlines, Inc. entered into an underwriting agreement (the “Underwriting Agreement”) with Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated, Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner, & Smith Incorporated, and Raymond James & Associates, Inc. pursuant to which the Company issued and sold to the various underwriters party to the Underwriting Agreement 4,700,000 shares of common stock. Frontier also granted to the underwriters an over-allotment option for an additional 700,000 shares of common stock. The Underwriting Agreement is attached hereto as Exhibit 1.1.

     The Company hereby updates its Risk Factors as follows:

RISK FACTORS

      An investment in our common stock involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully consider the risks described below, as well as the other information included in the reports we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission, before making an investment decision. Our business, financial condition or results of operations could be materially adversely affected by any of these risks. The trading price of our common stock could decline due to any of these risks, and you may lose all or part of your investment. In addition, please read the introductory material regarding forward-looking statements in Part I of our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, where we describe additional uncertainties associated with our business and the forward-looking statements included in the information we file with the SEC. Our actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements as a result of certain factors, including the risks faced by us described below. Please note that additional risks not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also impair our business and operations.

 
We may not be able to obtain or secure financing for our new aircraft.

      As of October 1, 2003, we will have commitments to purchase 17 additional new Airbus A319 and A318 aircraft, including our recently announced plan to purchase up to 15 additional Airbus A319 aircraft. We have secured financing commitments for four of these aircraft. To complete the purchase of the remaining aircraft, we must secure aircraft financing, which we may not be able to obtain on terms acceptable to us, if at all. The amount of financing required will depend on the required down payment on mortgage financed aircraft and the extent to which we lease as opposed to purchase the aircraft. We are exploring various financing alternatives, including, but not limited to, domestic and foreign bank financing, leveraged lease arrangements or sale/leaseback transactions. There can be no guarantee that additional financing will be available when required or on acceptable terms. The inability to secure the financing could have a material adverse effect on our cash balances or result in delays in or our inability to take delivery of Airbus aircraft that we have agreed to purchase, which would impair our strategy for long-term growth and could result in the loss of pre-delivery payments and deposits previously paid to the manufacturer, and/or the imposition of other penalties or the payment of damages for failure to take delivery of the aircraft in accordance with the terms of the purchase agreement with the manufacturer.

 
We have a significant amount of fixed obligations and we will incur significantly more fixed obligations, which could increase the risk of failing to meet payment obligations.

      As of June 30, 2003, our total debt was $279.4 million. Maturities of our long-term debt were $20.6 million in 2004, $19.7 million in 2005, $22.3 million in 2006, $53.3 million in 2007, $13 million in 2008 and an aggregate of $150.5 million for the years thereafter. These figures do not include an additional $76.5 million of debt incurred after June 30, 2003, through September 18, 2003 in connection with the acquisition of three aircraft. After accounting for the effect of our interest rate derivative hedge, approximately 75% of our total long-term debt bears floating interest rates, and the remaining 25% bears fixed rates. In addition to long-term debt, we have a significant amount of other fixed obligations under operating leases related to our aircraft, airport terminal space, other airport facilities and office space. As of June 30, 2003, future minimum lease payments under noncancelable operating leases were approximately $82.2 million in 2004, $77.4 million in 2005, $63.9 million in 2006, $60.8 million in 2007, $59.2 million in 2008 and an aggregate of $360.8 million for the years thereafter. Approximately 88% of our minimum lease payments are fixed in nature, and the remaining 12% are adjusted periodically based on floating interest rates. As of October 1, 2003, we will have commitments of approximately $561.7 million to purchase 17 additional aircraft over the next four and a half years, including estimated amounts for contractual price escalations, spare parts to support these aircraft and to equip the aircraft with LiveTV. We will incur additional debt or long-term lease obligations as we take delivery of new aircraft and other equipment and continue to expand into new markets.

 


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If we fail to comply with financial covenants, some of our financing agreements may be terminated.

      Under our loan facility, guaranteed in part by the ATSB, we are required to comply with specified financial and other covenants. We cannot assure you that we will be able to comply with these covenants or provisions or that these requirements will not limit our ability to finance our future operations or capital needs. Our inability to comply with the required financial covenants or provisions could result in a default under this financing agreement. In the event of any such default and our inability to obtain a waiver of the default, all amounts outstanding under the agreements could be declared to be immediately due and payable. In addition, other financial arrangements that contain cross-default provisions could also be declared in default and all amounts outstanding could be declared immediately due and payable. If we did not have sufficient available cash to pay all amounts that become due and payable, we would have to seek additional debt or equity financing, which may not be available on acceptable terms, or at all. If such financing were not available, we would have to sell assets in order to obtain the funds required to make the accelerated payments.

 
Our failure to successfully implement our growth strategy could harm our business.

      Our growth strategy involves transitioning to an all Airbus fleet, including the addition of up to 38 Airbus aircraft, increasing the frequency of flights to markets we currently serve, expanding the number of markets served and increasing flight connection opportunities. It is critical that we achieve our growth strategy in order for our business to attain economies of scale and to sustain or increase our profitability. Increasing the number of markets we serve depends on our ability to access suitable airports located in our targeted geographic markets in a manner that is consistent with our cost strategy. We will also need to obtain additional gates at DIA. Any condition that would deny, limit or delay our access to airports we seek to serve in the future will constrain our ability to grow. Opening new markets requires us to commit a substantial amount of resources, even before the new services commence. Expansion will also require additional skilled personnel, equipment and facilities. An inability to hire and retain skilled personnel or to secure the required equipment and facilities efficiently and cost-effectively may affect our ability to achieve our growth strategy. We cannot assure you that we will be able to successfully expand our existing markets or establish new markets, and our failure to do so could harm our business.

      Transition and growth of our fleet and expansion of our markets and services may also strain our existing management resources and systems to the point that they may no longer be adequate to support our operations, requiring us to make significant expenditures in these areas. We expect that we may need to further develop our information technology systems and other corporate infrastructure to accommodate future growth. We cannot assure you that we will be able to sufficiently develop our systems and infrastructure on a timely basis, and the failure to do so could harm our business.

 
We depend heavily on the Denver market to be successful.

      Our business strategy has historically focused on adding flights to and from our Denver base of operations. A reduction in our share of the Denver market or reduced passenger traffic to or from Denver could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations. In addition, our dependence on a hub system operating out of Denver makes us more susceptible to adverse weather conditions and other traffic delays in the Rocky Mountain region than some of our competitors that may be better able to spread these traffic risks over large route networks.

 
We face intense competition and market dominance by United Airlines and uncertainty with respect to its ability to emerge from Chapter 11 successfully; we also face competition from other airlines at DIA.

      The airline industry is highly competitive, primarily due to the effects of the Airline Deregulation Act of 1978, which substantially eliminated government authority to regulate domestic routes and fares and increased the ability of airlines to compete with respect to flight frequencies and fares. We compete with United Airlines in our hub in Denver, and we anticipate that we will compete principally with United Airlines in our future market entries. United Airlines and its regional airline affiliates are the dominant carriers out of DIA, accounting for


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approximately 61% of all revenue passengers for the seven months ended July 31, 2003. Fare wars, “capacity dumping” in which a competitor places additional aircraft on selected routes, and other activities could adversely affect us. The future activities of United Airlines and other carriers may have a material adverse effect on our revenues and results of operations. Most of our current and potential competitors have significantly greater financial resources, larger route networks, and superior market identity. In addition, United Airlines is currently operating under the protection of Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code. As it seeks to develop a plan of reorganization, United Airlines has expressed an interest in creating a low-cost operation in order to compete more effectively with us and other low-cost carriers. On September 17, 2003, United Airlines announced that Denver will be the launch hub for its new low-cost operation, which will begin in February 2004 and fly initially from DIA to seven cities in the West and South. United’s proposed low-cost venture may place downward pressure on air fares charged in the Denver market and adversely affect our market share at DIA and our ability to maintain yields required for profitable operations. The uncertainty regarding United Airlines’ business plan, its ability to restructure under Chapter 11, and its potential for placing downward pressure on air fares charged in the Denver market are risks on our ability to maintain yields required for profitable operations. In addition, in the last two years Alaska Airlines, Spirit Airlines, JetBlue Airways, AirTran Airways and American TransAir have commenced service at DIA as spokes to their hubs in other cities. These airlines have offered low introductory fares and compete on several of our routes. Competition from these airlines could adversely affect us.
 
We may not have access to adequate gates or airport slots, which could decrease our competitiveness.

      The number of gates available to us at DIA may be limited due to restricted capacity or disruptions caused by airport renovation projects. Available gates may not provide for the best overall service to our customers, and may prevent us from scheduling our flights during peak or opportune times. We are currently seeking additional gates at DIA in connection with our expanded operations. Negotiations regarding these gates has been affected in part by the bankruptcy of United Airlines and a change of administration at the City and County of Denver. We cannot be certain whether we will obtain any such gates. If we are unable to obtain additional gates at DIA, we may be forced to move a portion of our operations to another airport, potentially resulting in increased operating costs. Any failure to obtain gate access at DIA or the other airports that we serve could adversely affect us. In addition, the number of gates available to us at other airports may be limited due to restricted capacity or disruptions caused by major renovation projects. Available gates may not provide for the best overall service to our customers, and may prevent us from scheduling our flights during peak or opportune times.

      We could encounter barriers to airport slots that would deny or limit our access to the airports that we currently use or intend to use in the future. A slot is an authorization to schedule a takeoff or landing at the designated airport within a specific time window. The FAA must be advised of all slot transfers and can disallow any such transfer. In the United States, the FAA currently regulates slot allocations at O’Hare International Airport in Chicago, JFK and LaGuardia Airports in New York City, and Ronald Reagan National Airport in Washington D.C. We use LaGuardia Airport and Ronald Reagan National Airport in our current operations. The FAA’s slot regulations require the use of each slot at least 80% of the time, measured on a monthly basis. Failure to comply with these regulations may result in a recall of the slot by the FAA. In addition, the slot regulations permit the FAA to withdraw the slots at any time without compensation to meet the operational needs of the U.S. Department of Transportation, or DOT. We also have commenced service to John Wayne Airport in Orange County, California, which limits arrivals and departures as a result of slot allocations for noise control purposes. Our ability to increase slots at these regulated airports is limited by the number of slots available for takeoffs and landings.

 
We experience high costs at DIA, which may impact our results of operations.

      We operate our hub of flight operations from DIA where we experience high costs. Financed through revenue bonds, DIA depends on landing fees, gate rentals, income from airlines, the traveling public, and other fees to generate income to service its debt and to support its operations. Our cost of operations at DIA will vary as traffic increases or diminishes at that airport. We believe that our operating costs at DIA substantially exceed those that other airlines incur at most hub airports in other cities, which decreases our ability to compete with other airlines with lower costs at their hub airports. In addition, United Airlines, currently operating under the


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protection of Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code, represents a significant tenant at DIA. If United Airlines rejects a significant portion of its payment obligations relating to its operations at DIA, or significantly reduces its operations, the resulting decrease in revenues available to DIA may result in a proportionate increase in the costs of all other airlines operating at DIA.
 
Our transition to an Airbus fleet creates risks.

      As of October 1, 2003, we will operate 15 Boeing aircraft and 24 Airbus aircraft. We plan to transition our fleet so that we are operating only Airbus aircraft by September 30, 2005. One of the key elements of this strategy is to produce cost savings because crew training is standardized for aircraft of a common type, maintenance issues are simplified, spare parts inventory is reduced, and scheduling is more efficient. However, during our transition period we will be incurring additional costs associated with retraining our Boeing crews in the Airbus aircraft. We also may retire the Boeing aircraft in advance of the end of the lease agreements, which causes us to recognize remaining lease obligations as expense in the current period and to incur costs associated with returning the aircraft. We plan to take a non-cash charge of approximately $2.4 million, net of taxes, during the current quarter for the early retirement of our last two Boeing 737-200s and the closure of our El Paso maintenance facility.

      Once we operate only Airbus aircraft, we will be dependent on a single manufacturer for future aircraft acquisitions or deliveries, spare parts or warranty service. If Airbus is unable to perform its obligations under existing purchase agreements, or is unable to provide future aircraft or services, whether by fire, strike or other events that affect its ability to fulfill contractual obligations or manufacture aircraft or spare parts, we would have to find another supplier for our aircraft. Currently, Boeing is the only other manufacturer from which we could purchase or lease alternate aircraft. If we were forced to acquire Boeing aircraft, we would need to address fleet transition issues, including substantial costs associated with retraining our employees, acquiring new spare parts, and replacing our manuals. In addition, the fleet efficiency benefits described above may no longer be available.

      In addition, once we operate only Airbus aircraft we will be particularly vulnerable to any problems that might be associated with these aircraft. Our business would be significantly disrupted if an FAA airworthiness directive or service bulletin were issued, resulting in the grounding of all Airbus aircraft of the type we operate while the defect is being corrected. Our business could also be harmed if the public avoids flying Airbus aircraft due to an adverse perception about the aircraft’s safety or dependability, whether real or perceived, in the event of an accident or other incident involving an Airbus aircraft of the type we fly.

      One of the unique features of our Airbus fleet is that every seat in each of our Airbus aircraft will be equipped with LiveTV. LiveTV is provided by LiveTV, LLC, a subsidiary of JetBlue Airlines. We do not know of any other company that could provide us with LiveTV equipment and if JetBlue were to stop supplying us with the equipment or service for any reason, we could lose one of the unique services that differentiates us from our competitors.

 
Our maintenance expenses may be higher than we anticipate.

      We bear the cost of all routine and major maintenance on our owned and leased aircraft. Maintenance expenses comprise a significant portion of our operating expenses. In addition, we are required periodically to take aircraft out of service for heavy maintenance checks, which can adversely increase costs and reduce revenue. We also may be required to comply with regulations and airworthiness directives the FAA issues, the cost of which our aircraft lessors may only partially assume depending upon the magnitude of the expense. Although we believe that our purchased and leased aircraft are currently in compliance with all FAA issued airworthiness directives, additional airworthiness directives likely will be required in the future, necessitating additional expense.

 
Our landing fees may increase because of local noise abatement procedures.

      Compliance with local noise abatement procedures may lead to increased landing fees. As a result of litigation and pressure from airport area residents, airport operators have taken actions over the years to reduce aircraft noise. These actions have included regulations requiring aircraft to meet prescribed decibel limits by


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designated dates, curfews during night time hours, restrictions on frequency of aircraft operations, and various operational procedures for noise abatement. The Airport Noise and Capacity Act of 1990 recognized the right of airport operators with special noise problems to implement local noise abatement procedures as long as the procedures do not interfere unreasonably with the interstate and foreign commerce of the national air transportation system.

      An agreement between the City and County of Denver and another county adjacent to Denver specifies maximum aircraft noise levels at designated monitoring points in the vicinity of DIA with significant payments payable by Denver to the other county for each substantiated noise violation under the agreement. DIA has incurred these payment obligations and likely will incur such obligations in the future, which it will pass on to us and other air carriers serving DIA by increasing landing fees. Additionally, noise regulations could be enacted in the future that would increase our expenses and could have a material adverse effect on our operations.

 
We have a limited number of aircraft, and any unexpected loss of any aircraft could disrupt and harm our operations.

      Because we have a limited number of aircraft, if more than one of our aircraft unexpectedly are taken out of service, our operations may be disrupted. We can schedule all of our aircraft for regular passenger service and only maintain limited spare aircraft capability should one or more aircraft be removed from scheduled service for unplanned maintenance repairs or for other reasons. The unplanned loss of use of more than one of our aircraft for a significant period of time could have a material adverse effect on our operations and operating results. A replacement aircraft may not be available or we may not be able to lease or purchase additional aircraft on satisfactory terms or when needed. The market for leased or purchased aircraft fluctuates based on worldwide economic factors that we cannot control.

 
Unionization affects our costs and may affect our operations.

      Three of our employee groups have voted for union representation: our pilots, dispatchers, and mechanics. In addition, since 1997 we have had union organizing attempts that were defeated by our flight attendants, ramp service agents, and stock clerks. The collective bargaining agreements we have entered into with our pilots, dispatchers and mechanics have increased our labor and benefit costs, and additional unionization of our employees could increase our overall costs. If any group of our currently non-unionized employees were to unionize and we were unable to reach agreement on the terms of their and other currently unionized employee groups’ collective bargaining agreements or we were to experience widespread employee dissatisfaction, we could be subject to work slowdowns or stoppages. In addition, we may be subject to disruptions by organized labor groups protesting certain groups for their non-union status. Any of these events would be disruptive to our operations and could harm our business.

 
Our limited marketing alliances could harm our business.

      Many airlines have marketing alliances with other airlines, under which they market and advertise their status as marketing alliance partners. Among other things, they share the use of two-letter flight designator codes to identify their flights and fares in the computerized reservation systems and permit reciprocity in their frequent flyer programs. Our program partners presently include Midwest Airlines and Virgin Atlantic Airways, but we do not have the significant network of marketing partners that many other airlines do. Our limited marketing alliances put us at a competitive disadvantage to global network carriers, whose ability to attract passengers through more widespread alliances, particularly on international routes, may adversely affect our passenger traffic, and therefore our results of operations.

 
Our lack of an established line of credit or borrowing facility makes us highly dependent upon our operating cash flows.

      Airlines require substantial liquidity to operate under most conditions. We have no material lines of credit, and rely primarily on operating cash flows to provide working capital. Unless we secure a line of credit, borrowing facility or other financing, we will be dependent upon our existing cash and operating cash flows to


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fund our operations and to make scheduled payments on our debt and other fixed obligations. If we deplete our existing cash, including any cash we retain from the proceeds of this offering, fail to generate sufficient funds from operations to meet these cash requirements and are unable to secure a line of credit, borrowing facility or other financing, we could default on our debt and other fixed obligations. Our inability to meet our obligations as they become due would seriously harm our business and financial results.
 
If we are unable to attract and retain qualified personnel at reasonable costs, our business will be harmed.

      Our business is labor intensive, with labor costs representing 24.7% of our operating expenses for the year ended March 31, 2003 and 27.2% of our operating expenses for the three months ended June 30, 2003. We expect salaries, wages and benefits to increase on a gross basis and these costs could increase as a percentage of our overall costs, which could harm our business. Our growth plans will require us to hire, train and retain a significant number of new employees in the future. From time to time, the airline industry has experienced a shortage of personnel licensed by the FAA, especially pilots and mechanics. We compete against the major U.S. airlines for labor in these highly skilled positions. Many of the major U.S. airlines offer wage and benefit packages that exceed our wage and benefit packages. As a result, in the future, we may have to significantly increase wages and benefits in order to attract and retain qualified personnel or risk considerable employee turnover. If we are unable to hire, train and retain qualified employees at a reasonable cost, we may be unable to complete our growth plans and our business could be harmed.

 
We may be subject to terrorist attacks or other acts of war and increased costs or reductions in demand for air travel due to hostilities in the Middle East or other parts of the world.

      On September 11, 2001, four commercial aircraft were hijacked by terrorists and crashed into The World Trade Center in New York City, the Pentagon in Northern Virginia and a field in Pennsylvania. These terrorists attacks resulted in an overwhelming loss of life and extensive property damage. Immediately after the attacks, the Federal Aviation Administration, or FAA, closed U.S. airspace, prohibiting all flights to, from and within the United States of America. Airports reopened on September 13, 2001, except for Washington D.C. Ronald Reagan International Airport, which partially reopened on October 4, 2001.

      The September 11 terrorist attacks, and more recently, the war in Iraq created fear among consumers and resulted in significant negative economic impacts on the airline industry. Primary effects were substantial loss of revenue and flight disruption costs, increased security and insurance costs, increased concerns about the potential for future terrorist attacks, airport shutdowns and flight cancellations and delays due to additional screening of passengers and baggage, security breaches and perceived safety threats, and significantly reduced passenger traffic and yields due to the subsequent drop in demand for air travel.

      Given the magnitude and unprecedented nature of the September 11 attacks, the uncertainty and fear of consumers resulting from the war in Iraq, or the potential for other hostilities in other parts of the world, it is uncertain what long-term impact these events will or could have on the airline industry in general and on us in particular. These factors could affect our operating results and financial condition by creating weakness in demand for air travel, increased costs due to new security measures and the potential for new or additional government mandates for security related measures, increased insurance premiums, increased fuel costs, and uncertainty about the continued availability of war risk coverage or other insurances. In addition, several plaintiffs filed lawsuits in the United States District Court, Southern District of New York based on the events of September 11, 2001. The complaints name as defendants various security system manufacturers and suppliers and several airlines that were operating at Boston Logan International Airport and Portland (Maine) International Jetport on September 11, 2001, including us. The complaints generally allege that the defendants failed to provide adequate security systems or supervision of security procedures at Logan Airport and Portland Jetport. We have not had the opportunity to analyze the allegations and claims contained in the lawsuits. If any of the suits were successful and damages were assessed against us in excess of our insurance coverage, we would be adversely affected.


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      In addition, although the entire industry is substantially enhancing security equipment and procedures, it is impossible to guarantee that additional terrorist attacks or other acts of war will not occur. Given the weakened state of the airline industry, if additional terrorist attacks or acts of war occur, particularly in the near future, it can be expected that the impact of those attacks on the industry may be similar in nature to but substantially greater than those resulting from the September 11 terrorist attacks.

 
Increases in fuel costs affect our operating costs and competitiveness.

      Fuel is a major component of our operating expenses, accounting for 17.2% of our total operating expenses for the year ended March 31, 2003. Both the cost and availability of fuel are influenced by many economic and political factors and events occurring in oil producing countries throughout the world, and fuel costs fluctuate widely. We cannot predict our future cost and availability of fuel, which affects our ability to compete. The unavailability of adequate fuel supplies could have a material adverse effect on our operations and profitability. In addition, larger airlines may have a competitive advantage because they pay lower prices for fuel. We generally follow industry trends by imposing a fuel surcharge in response to significant fuel price increases. However, our ability to pass on increased fuel costs may be limited by economic and competitive conditions. Although we implemented a fuel hedging program in 2003, under which we enter into Gulf Coast jet fuel option contracts to partially protect against significant increases in fuel prices, this program is limited in fuel volume and duration. Our fuel hedging program currently protects us against potential fuel price increases on approximately 20% of our estimated fuel requirements through November 2003; approximately 15% for December 2003; approximately 7.5% from January 2004 through June 2004, and none thereafter.

 
The airline industry is seasonal and cyclical, resulting in unpredictable liquidity and earnings.

      Because the airline industry is seasonal and cyclical, our liquidity and earnings will fluctuate and be unpredictable. Our operations primarily depend on passenger travel demand and seasonal variations. Our weakest travel periods are generally during the quarters ending in June and December. The airline industry is also a highly cyclical business with substantial volatility. Airlines frequently experience short-term cash requirements. These requirements are caused by seasonal fluctuations in traffic, which often reduce cash during off-peak periods, and various other factors, including price competition from other airlines, national and international events, fuel prices, and general economic conditions including inflation. Our operating and financial results are likely to be negatively impacted by the continued stagnation in national or regional economic conditions in the United States, and particularly in Colorado.

      We, like many in the industry, have seen a negative impact to passenger traffic caused by the war with Iraq, the slowing economy, as well as threats of further terrorist activities. The impact has been more prevalent with our business traffic, which is higher yield traffic that books closer to the date of departure, than with our leisure customers. Even though the slowing economy has impacted us, we believe that the larger, more established carriers are being impacted to a greater extent as more price sensitive business travelers who typically fly these carriers are looking for affordable alternatives similar to the service we provide. The larger carriers have reduced their “close-in” fare structure to more aggressively compete for this traffic. Aggressive pricing tactics by our major competitors have had and could continue to have an impact on our business.

 
The airline industry tends to experience adverse financial results during general economic downturns, and recent airline financial results may lead to significant changes in our industry.

      Since a substantial portion of both business and leisure airline travel is discretionary, the industry tends to experience adverse financial results during general economic downturns. The airline industry has been experiencing a decline in traffic, particularly business traffic, due to slower general economic conditions beginning in 2000 and more recently, from the lingering impact of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, the war in Iraq and the outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome. The industry experienced record losses for the year ended 2001 and the major U.S. airlines reported net losses of more than $11 billion in 2002.

      In response to these adverse financial results, some airlines have been reexamining their traditional business models and have taken actions in an effort to increase profitability, such as reducing capacity and rationalizing


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fleet types, furloughing or terminating employees, limiting service offerings, attempting to renegotiate labor contracts and reconfiguring flight schedules, as well as other efficiency and cost-cutting measures. Despite these business model adjustments, financial losses have continued and US Airways and United Airlines filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in 2002. Additional airline bankruptcies and restructurings may occur, potentially resulting in substantial change in our industry, which could adversely affect our business.
 
Our insurance costs have increased substantially as a result of the September 11th terrorist attacks, and further increases in insurance costs would harm our business.

      Following the September 11 terrorist attacks, aviation insurers dramatically increased airline insurance premiums and significantly reduced the maximum amount of insurance coverage available to airlines for liability to persons other than passengers for claims resulting from acts of terrorism, war or similar events to $50 million per event and in the aggregate. In light of this development, under the Air Transportation Safety and System Stabilization Act, the U.S. government has provided domestic airlines with excess war risk coverage above $50 million up to an estimated $1.6 billion per event for us.

      In December 2002, under the Homeland Security Act of 2002, the U.S. government expanded its insurance program such that airlines could elect either the government’s excess third-party coverage or for the government to become the primary insurer for all war risks coverage. We elected the latter in February 2003 and discontinued the commercially available war risk coverage. While the Appropriations Act authorized the government to offer both policies through August 31, 2004, the current policies are in effect until October 12, 2003. We cannot assure you that any extension will occur, or if it does, how long the extension will last. We expect that if the government stops providing war risk coverage to the airline industry, the premiums charged by aviation insurers for this coverage will be substantially higher than the premiums currently charged by the government. Significant increases in insurance premiums would harm our financial condition and results of operations.

 
Our financial results and reputation could be harmed in the event of an accident or incident involving our aircraft.

      An accident or incident involving one of our aircraft could involve repair or replacement of a damaged aircraft and its consequential temporary or permanent loss from service, and significant potential claims of injured passengers and others. We are required by the DOT and our lenders and lessors to carry hull, liability and war risk insurance. Although we believe we currently maintain liability insurance in amounts and of the type generally consistent with industry practice, the amount of such coverage may not be adequate and we may be forced to bear substantial losses from an accident. Substantial claims resulting from an accident in excess of our related insurance coverage would harm our business and financial results. Moreover, any aircraft accident or incident, even if fully insured, could cause a public perception that we are less safe or reliable than other airlines, which would harm our business.

 
We are in a high fixed cost business, and any unexpected decrease in revenues would harm us.

      The airline industry is characterized by low profit margins and high fixed costs primarily for personnel, fuel, aircraft ownership costs and other rents. The expenses of an aircraft flight do not vary significantly with the number of passengers carried and, as a result, a relatively small change in the number of passengers or in pricing would have a disproportionate effect on the airline’s operating and financial results. Accordingly, a shortfall from expected revenue levels can have a material adverse effect on our profitability and liquidity.

 
Airlines are often affected by factors beyond their control, including weather conditions, traffic congestion at airports and increased security measures, any of which could harm our operating results and financial condition.

      Like other airlines, we are subject to delays caused by factors beyond our control, including adverse weather conditions, air traffic congestion at airports and increased security measures. Delays frustrate passengers, reduce aircraft utilization and increase costs, all of which negatively affect profitability. During periods of snow, rain, fog, storms or other adverse weather conditions, flights may be cancelled or significantly delayed. Cancellations


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or delays due to weather conditions, traffic control problems and breaches in security could harm our operating results and financial condition.
 
We are subject to strict federal regulations, and compliance with federal regulations increases our costs and decreases our revenues.

      Airlines are subject to extensive regulatory and legal requirements that involve significant compliance costs. In the last several years, Congress has passed laws and the DOT and FAA have issued regulations relating to the operation of airlines that have required significant expenditures. For example, the President signed into law the Stabilization Act in November 2001. This law federalized substantially all aspects of civil aviation security and requires, among other things, the implementation of certain security measures by airlines and airports, including a requirement that all passenger baggage be screened. Funding for airline and airport security under the law is primarily provided by a new $2.50 per enplanement ticket tax effective February 1, 2002, with authority granted to the TSA to impose additional fees on air carriers if necessary. Under the Appropriations Act enacted on April 16, 2003, the $2.50 enplanement tax was temporarily suspended on ticket sales from June 1, 2003 through August 31, 2003. This enplanement tax will resume on October 1, 2003. In addition, the acquisition, installation and operation of the required baggage screening systems by airports will result in capital expenses and costs by those airports that will likely be passed on to the airlines through increased use and landing fees. On February 17, 2002, the Stabilization Act imposed a base security infrastructure fee on commercial air carriers in an amount equal to the calendar year ended 2000 airport security expenses. The infrastructure fee for us is $1,625,000 annually. It is impossible to determine at this time exactly what the full cost impact will be of the increased security measures imposed by the Stabilization Act.

      Although we have obtained the necessary authority from the DOT and the FAA to conduct flight operations and are currently obtaining such authority from the FAA with respect to our Airbus aircraft, we must maintain this authority by our continued compliance with applicable statutes, rules, and regulations pertaining to the airline industry, including any new rules and regulations that may be adopted in the future. We believe that the FAA strictly scrutinizes smaller airlines like ours, which makes us susceptible to regulatory demands that can negatively impact our operations. We may not be able to continue to comply with all present and future rules and regulations. In addition, we cannot predict the costs of compliance with these regulations and the effect of compliance on our profitability, although these costs may be material. We also expect substantial FAA scrutiny as we transition from our Boeing fleet to an all Airbus fleet. An accident or major incident involving one of our aircraft would likely have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations.

 
Substantial consolidation in the airline industry could harm our business.

      Since its deregulation in 1978, the airline industry has undergone substantial consolidation through mergers and strategic alliances, and it may undergo additional consolidation in the future. Recent economic conditions and airline financial losses may contribute to further consolidation within our industry. Any consolidation or significant alliance activity within the airline industry could increase the size and resources of our competitors, which, in turn, could adversely affect our ability to compete.

 
The market price of our common stock may be volatile, which could cause the value of your investment in Frontier to decline.

      Any of the following factors could affect the market price of our common stock:

  •  general market, political and economic conditions;
 
  •  changes in earnings estimates and recommendations by financial analysts;
 
  •  our failure to meet financial analysts’ performance expectations;
 
  •  changes in fuel prices; and
 
  •  changes in market valuations of other airlines.


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      In addition, many of the risks described elsewhere in this “Risk Factors” section could materially and adversely affect our stock price. The stock markets have experienced price and volume volatility that has affected many companies’ stock prices. Stock prices for many companies have experienced wide fluctuations that have often been unrelated to the operating performance of those companies. Fluctuations such as these may affect the market price of our common stock.

 
Other companies may have difficulty acquiring us, even if doing so would benefit our shareholders, due to provisions under our corporate charter, bylaws, shareholder rights agreement and option plans, as well as Colorado law.

      Provisions in our restated articles of incorporation, our amended and restated bylaws and our shareholder rights agreement, as amended, and under Colorado law could make it more difficult for other companies to acquire us, even if doing so would benefit our shareholders. Our restated articles of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws contain the following provisions, among others, which may inhibit an acquisition of our company by a third party:

  •  a limitation on who may call shareholder meetings;
 
  •  a prohibition on shareholder action by written consent (except that unanimous written consent is permitted); and
 
  •  the ability of our board of directors to issue up to 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock without a shareholder vote.

      The issuance of stock under our shareholder rights agreement could delay, deter or prevent a takeover attempt that shareholders might consider in their best interests. Any of these restrictions could have the effect of delaying or preventing a change in control.

      In addition, all of our currently outstanding options under our stock option plan have a special acceleration feature pursuant to which those options will vest in full in the event we are acquired. The accelerated vesting of our employee stock options may prove to be a deterrent to a potential acquisition of us because the acquiring company may have to implement additional retention programs to assure the continued service of our employees, and the additional dilution which will result from the accelerated vesting of our outstanding employee stock options will likely reduce the amount which would otherwise be payable to our shareholders in an acquisition.


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Item 7. Financial Statements, Pro Forma Financial Information and Exhibits.

     (c) The following exhibits are being filed herewith:

     1.1 Underwriting Agreement dated September 18, 2003, by and among Frontier and Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated, Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner, & Smith Incorporated, and Raymond James & Associates, Inc.

 


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SIGNATURES

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

         
    FRONTIER AIRLINES, INC
         
Date: September 19, 2003   By:   /s/ Jeff Potter
       
        Jeff Potter, President and Chief Executive Officer
         
    By:   /s/ Paul Tate
       
        Paul Tate, Chief Financial Officer

 


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EXHIBIT INDEX

     
Exhibit    
Number   Description

 
1.1   Underwriting Agreement dated September 18, 2003, by and among Frontier and Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated, Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner, & Smith Incorporated, and Raymond James & Associates, Inc.

  EX-1.1 3 d09155exv1w1.txt EX-1.1 UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT EXHIBIT 1.1 4,700,000 Shares FRONTIER AIRLINES, INC. Common Stock (no par value) UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT September 18, 2003 September 18, 2003 Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated Raymond James & Associates, Inc. c/o Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated 1585 Broadway New York, New York 10036 Dear Sirs and Mesdames: FRONTIER AIRLINES, INC., a Colorado corporation (the "COMPANY"), proposes to issue and sell to the several Underwriters named in Schedule I hereto (the "UNDERWRITERS") 4,700,000 shares (the "FIRM SHARES") of its common stock, no par value (the "COMMON STOCK"). The Company also proposes to issue and sell to the several Underwriters not more than an additional 700,000 shares of its Common Stock (the "ADDITIONAL SHARES") if and to the extent that you, as Managers of the offering, shall have determined to exercise, on behalf of the Underwriters, the right to purchase such shares of Common Stock granted to the Underwriters in Section 2 hereof. The Firm Shares and the Additional Shares are hereinafter collectively referred to as the "SHARES." The Company has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "COMMISSION") a registration statement, including a prospectus, relating to certain of its debt and equity securities (including the Shares) and has filed with, or transmitted for filing to, or shall promptly hereafter file with or transmit for filing to, the Commission a prospectus supplement (the "PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT") specifically relating to the Shares pursuant to Rule 424 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "SECURITIES ACT"). The term "REGISTRATION STATEMENT" means the registration statement, including the exhibits thereto, as amended to the date of this Agreement. The term "BASE PROSPECTUS" means the prospectus included in the Registration Statement. The term "PROSPECTUS" means the Base Prospectus together with the Prospectus Supplement. The term "PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS" means a preliminary prospectus supplement specifically relating to the Shares, together with the Base Prospectus. As used herein the terms "Base Prospectus," "Prospectus" and "preliminary prospectus" shall include, in each case, the documents, if any, incorporated by reference therein. The terms "SUPPLEMENT," "AMENDMENT" and "AMEND" as used herein shall include all the documents deemed to be incorporated by reference in the Prospectus that are filed subsequent to the date of the Base Prospectus by the Company with the Commission pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "EXCHANGE ACT"). Representations and Warranties. The Company represents and warrants to and agrees with each of the Underwriters that: (a) The Registration Statement has become effective; no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement is in effect, and no proceedings for such purpose are pending before or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened by the Commission. (b) (i) Each document, if any, filed or to be filed pursuant to the Exchange Act and incorporated by reference in the Prospectus complied or will comply when so filed in all material respects with the Exchange Act and the applicable rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder; (ii) each part of the Registration Statement, when it became effective, did not contain and, as amended or supplemented, if applicable, will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading; (iii) the Registration Statement and the Prospectus comply and, as amended or supplemented, if applicable, will comply in all material respects with the Securities Act and the applicable rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder; and (iv) the Prospectus does not contain and, as amended or supplemented, if applicable, will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, except that the representations and warranties set forth in this paragraph do not apply to statements or omissions in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus, as amended or supplemented (if applicable), based upon information relating to any Underwriter furnished to the Company in writing by such Underwriter through you expressly for use therein. (c) The Company has been duly incorporated, is validly existing as a corporation in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation, has the corporate power and authority to own its property and to conduct its business as described in the Prospectus and is duly qualified to transact business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which the conduct of its business or its ownership or leasing of property requires such qualification, except to the extent that the failure to be so qualified or be in good standing would not have a material adverse effect on the Company. The Company has no existing subsidiaries. (d) This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company. (e) The authorized capital stock of the Company conforms as to legal matters to the description thereof contained in the Prospectus. (f) The shares of capital stock of the Company outstanding prior to the issuance of the Shares have been duly authorized and are validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable. (g) The Shares to be sold by the Company have been duly authorized and, when issued and delivered in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable, and the issuance of such Shares will not be subject to any preemptive or similar rights. 2 (h) The execution and delivery by the Company of, and the performance by the Company of its obligations under, this Agreement will not contravene any provision of applicable law or the articles of incorporation or by-laws of the Company or any agreement or other instrument binding upon the Company that is material to the Company, or any judgment, order or decree of any governmental body, agency or court having jurisdiction over the Company, and no consent, approval, authorization or order of, or qualification with, any governmental body or agency is required for the performance by the Company of its obligations under this Agreement, except such as have been obtained under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act and from The Nasdaq National Market and the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. ("NASD"), and except such as may be required by the securities or Blue Sky laws of the various states in connection with the offer and sale of the Shares. (i) There has not occurred any material adverse change, or any development involving a prospective material adverse change, in the condition, financial or otherwise, or in the earnings, business or operations of the Company, from that set forth in the Prospectus (exclusive of any amendments or supplements thereto subsequent to the date of this Agreement). (j) There are no legal or governmental proceedings pending or threatened to which the Company is a party or to which any of the properties of the Company is subject that are required to be described in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus and are not so described or any statutes, regulations, contracts or other documents that are required to be described in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus or to be filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement that are not described or filed as required. (k) Each preliminary prospectus filed as part of the registration statement as originally filed or as part of any amendment thereto, or filed pursuant to Rule 424 under the Securities Act, complied when so filed in all material respects with the Securities Act and the applicable rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder. (l) The Company is not, and after giving effect to the offering and sale of the Shares and the application of the proceeds thereof as described in the Prospectus will not be, required to register as an "investment company" as such term is defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. (m) The Company (i) is in compliance with any and all applicable foreign, federal, state and local laws and regulations relating to the protection of human health and safety, the environment or hazardous or toxic substances or wastes, pollutants or contaminants ("ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS"), (ii) has received all permits, licenses or other approvals required of them under applicable Environmental Laws to conduct their businesses, (iii) is in compliance with all terms and conditions of any such permit, license or approval, except where such noncompliance with Environmental Laws, failure to receive required permits, licenses or other approvals or failure to comply with the terms and conditions of such permits, licenses or approvals would not, singly or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on the Company. 3 (n) There are no costs or liabilities associated with Environmental Laws (including, without limitation, any capital or operating expenditures required for clean-up, closure of properties or compliance with Environmental Laws or any permit, license or approval, any related constraints on operating activities and any potential liabilities to third parties) which would, singly or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on the Company. (o) There are no contracts, agreements or understandings between the Company and any person granting such person the right to require the Company to file a registration statement under the Securities Act with respect to any securities of the Company (except as otherwise disclosed in the Registration Statement) or to require the Company to include such securities with the Shares registered pursuant to the Registration Statement. (p) Subsequent to the date as of which information is given in the Prospectus, (i) the Company has not incurred any material liability or obligation, direct or contingent, or entered into any material transaction, in each case, not in the ordinary course of business or as described in or contemplated by the Prospectus (including, without limitation, aircraft acquisitions or financing so described in or contemplated by the Prospectus); (ii) the Company has not purchased any of its outstanding capital stock, nor declared, paid or otherwise made any dividend or distribution of any kind on its capital stock; (iii) there has not been any material change in the capital stock, short-term debt or long-term debt of the Company except in each case as described in or contemplated by the Prospectus (including, without limitation, aircraft financing so described in or contemplated by the Prospectus); and (iv) there has been no prohibition or suspension of the operation of the Company's aircraft, including as a result of action taken by the Federal Aviation Administration or the Department of Transportation. (q) The Company has good and marketable title in fee simple to all real property and good and marketable title to all personal property owned by it which is material to the business of the Company, free and clear of all liens, encumbrances and defects except such as are described in the Prospectus or the Registration Statement or such as do not materially affect the value of such property or do not interfere with the use made and proposed to be made of such property by the Company; and any real property and buildings held under lease by the Company are held by it under valid, subsisting and enforceable leases with such exceptions as are not material and do not interfere with the use made and proposed to be made of such property and buildings by the Company, in each case except as described in or contemplated by the Prospectus. (r) (i) The Company possesses such permits, licenses, approvals, consents and other authorizations (collectively "GOVERNMENT LICENSES") issued by the appropriate federal, state, local or foreign regulatory agencies or bodies, including the Department of Transportation, the Federal Aviation Administration or the Federal Communications Commission necessary to conduct the business now operated by it; (ii) the Company is in compliance with the terms and conditions of all such Governmental Licenses, except where the failure so to comply would not, singly or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on the Company; (iii) all of the Government Licenses are valid and in full 4 force, except where the invalidity of such Governmental Licenses or the failure of such Governmental Licenses to be in full force and effect would not have a material adverse effect on the Company; and (iv) the Company has not received any notice of proceedings relating to the revocation or modification of any such Governmental Licenses which, singly or in the aggregate, if the subject of an unfavorable decision, ruling or finding, would have a material adverse effect on the Company. (s) Except as described in the Prospectus, no material labor dispute with the employees of the Company exists or, to the knowledge of the Company, is imminent; and the Company is not aware, but without any independent investigation or inquiry, of any existing, threatened or imminent labor disturbance by the employees of any of its principal suppliers, manufacturers or contractors that could have a material adverse effect on the Company. (t) The Company is insured by insurers that the Company reasonably believes to be of recognized financial responsibility against such losses and risks and in such amounts as are customary in the businesses in which it is engaged; the Company has not been refused any insurance coverage sought or applied other than in connection with instances where the Company was seeking to obtain insurance coverage at more attractive rates; and the Company has no reason to believe that it will not be able to renew its existing insurance coverage as and when such coverage expires or to obtain similar coverage from similar insurers as may be necessary to continue its business at a cost that would not have a material adverse effect on the Company, except as described in or contemplated by the Prospectus. (u) The Company maintains a system of internal accounting controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurance that (i) transactions are executed in accordance with management's general or specific authorizations in all material respects and (ii) transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles and to maintain asset accountability. (v) The Company (i) is an "air carrier" within the meaning of 49 U.S.C. Section 40102(a); (ii) holds an air carrier operating certificate issued by the Secretary of Transportation pursuant to Chapter 447 of Title 49 of the United States Code for aircraft capable of carrying 10 or more individuals or 6,000 pounds or more of cargo; and (iii) is a "citizen of the United States" as defined in 49 U.S.C. Section 401102. Agreements to Sell and Purchase. The Company hereby agrees to sell to the several Underwriters, and each Underwriter, upon the basis of the representations and warranties herein contained, but subject to the conditions hereinafter stated, agrees, severally and not jointly, to purchase from the Company the respective numbers of Firm Shares set forth in Schedule I hereto opposite its name at $16.1075 a share (the "PURCHASE PRICE"). On the basis of the representations and warranties contained in this Agreement, and subject to its terms and conditions, the Company agrees to sell to the Underwriters the Additional Shares, and the Underwriters shall have the right to purchase, severally and not 5 jointly, up to 700,000 Additional Shares at the Purchase Price. You may exercise this right on behalf of the Underwriters in whole or from time to time in part by giving written notice of each election to exercise the option not later than 30 days after the date of this Agreement. Any exercise notice shall specify the number of Additional Shares to be purchased by the Underwriters and the date on which such shares are to be purchased. Each purchase date must be at least one business day after the written notice is given and may not be earlier than the closing date for the Firm Shares nor later than ten business days after the date of such notice. Additional Shares may be purchased as provided in Section 4 hereof solely for the purpose of covering over-allotments made in connection with the offering of the Firm Shares. On each day, if any, that Additional Shares are to be purchased (an "OPTION CLOSING DATE"), each Underwriter agrees, severally and not jointly, to purchase the number of Additional Shares (subject to such adjustments to eliminate fractional shares as you may determine) that bears the same proportion to the total number of Additional Shares to be purchased on such Option Closing Date as the number of Firm Shares set forth in Schedule I hereto opposite the name of such Underwriter bears to the total number of Firm Shares. The Company hereby agrees that, without the prior written consent of Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated on behalf of the Underwriters, it will not, during the period ending 90 days after the date of the Prospectus, (i) offer, pledge, sell, contract to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any option or contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant to purchase, lend, or otherwise transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly, any shares of Common Stock or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Common Stock or (ii) enter into any swap or other arrangement that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of the Common Stock, whether any such transaction described in clause (i) or (ii) above is to be settled by delivery of Common Stock or such other securities, in cash or otherwise. The foregoing sentence shall not apply to (A) the Shares to be sold hereunder, (B) the issuance by the Company of shares of Common Stock upon the exercise of an option or warrant or the conversion of a security outstanding on the date hereof and as described in the Prospectus or (C) the issuance by the Company of any shares of Common Stock or options to employees of the Company on or after the date hereof pursuant to the Company's equity incentive plans as described in the Prospectus and the issuance by the Company of shares of Common Stock upon the exercise of any such options. Terms of Public Offering. The Company is advised by you that the Shares are to be offered to the public initially at $17.00 a share (the "PUBLIC OFFERING PRICE") and to certain dealers selected by you at a price that represents a concession not in excess of $0.58 a share under the Public Offering Price. Payment and Delivery. Payment for the Firm Shares shall be made to the Company in Federal or other funds immediately available in New York City against delivery of such Firm Shares for the respective accounts of the several Underwriters at 10:00 a.m., New York City time, on September 24, 2003, or at such other time on the same or such other date, not later than October 1, 2003, as shall be designated in writing by you. The time and date of such payment are hereinafter referred to as the "CLOSING DATE." Payment for any Additional Shares shall be made to the Company in Federal or other funds immediately available in New York City against delivery of such Additional Shares 6 for the respective accounts of the several Underwriters at 10:00 a.m., New York City time, on the date specified in the corresponding notice described in Section 2 or at such other time on the same or on such other date, in any event not later than October 18, 2003, as shall be designated in writing by you. The Firm Shares and Additional Shares shall be registered in such names and in such denominations as you shall request in writing not later than one full business day prior to the Closing Date or the applicable Option Closing Date, as the case may be. The Firm Shares and Additional Shares shall be delivered to you on the Closing Date or an Option Closing Date, as the case may be, for the respective accounts of the several Underwriters, with any transfer taxes payable in connection with the transfer of the Shares to the Underwriters duly paid, against payment of the Purchase Price therefor. Conditions to the Underwriters' Obligations. The obligations of the Company to sell the Shares to the Underwriters and the several obligations of the Underwriters to purchase and pay for the Shares on the Closing Date are subject to the following conditions: (w) Subsequent to the execution and delivery of this Agreement and prior to the Closing Date: (i) there shall not have occurred any downgrading, nor shall any notice have been given of any intended or potential downgrading or of any review for a possible change that does not indicate the direction of the possible change, in the rating accorded any of the Company's securities by any "nationally recognized statistical rating organization," as such term is defined for purposes of Rule 436(g)(2) under the Securities Act; and (ii) there shall not have occurred any change, or any development involving a prospective change, in the condition, financial or otherwise, or in the earnings, business or operations of the Company, from that set forth in the Prospectus (exclusive of any amendments or supplements thereto subsequent to the date of this Agreement) that, in your judgment, is material and adverse and that makes it, in your judgment, impracticable to market the Shares on the terms and in the manner contemplated in the Prospectus. (x) The Underwriters shall have received on the Closing Date a certificate, dated the Closing Date and signed by an executive officer of the Company, to the effect set forth in Section 5(a)(i) above and to the effect that the representations and warranties of the Company contained in this Agreement are true and correct as of the Closing Date and that the Company has complied in all material respects with all of the agreements and satisfied in all material respects all of the conditions on its part to be performed or satisfied hereunder on or before the Closing Date. The officer signing and delivering such certificate may rely upon the best of his or her knowledge as to proceedings threatened. 7 (y) The Underwriters shall have received on the Closing Date an opinion of Faegre & Benson LLP, outside counsel for the Company, dated the Closing Date, to the effect that: (i) the Company has been duly incorporated, is validly existing as a corporation in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation, has the corporate power and authority to own its property and to conduct its business as described in the Prospectus and is duly qualified to transact business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction set forth in a schedule to such opinion, except where the failure to be so qualified or be in good standing would not have a material adverse effect on the Company; (ii) the authorized capital stock of the Company conforms as to legal matters in all material respects to the description thereof contained in the Prospectus; (iii) the shares of capital stock outstanding prior to the issuance of the Shares have been duly authorized and are validly issued and, to the knowledge of such counsel, fully paid and non-assessable; (iv) the Shares have been duly authorized and, when issued and delivered in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable, and the issuance of such Shares will not be subject to any preemptive or similar rights; (v) this Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company; (vi) except for such conflicts or violations, when considered alone or taken together with all other conflicts or violations, would not have a material adverse effect on the Company, the execution and delivery by the Company of this Agreement does not, and the performance by the Company of its obligations under this Agreement will not, contravene any provision of applicable law or the articles of incorporation or by-laws of the Company, or, to such counsel's knowledge, any agreement or other instrument binding upon the Company that is material to the Company, or, to such counsel's knowledge, any judgment, order or decree of any governmental body, agency or court having jurisdiction over the Company, and no consent, approval, authorization or order of, or qualification with, any governmental body or agency is required for the performance by the Company of its obligations under this Agreement, except for those which have been obtained under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act, and except such as may be required by the securities or Blue Sky laws of the various states in connection with the offer and sale of the Shares; (vii) the statements relating to legal matters, documents or proceedings included in (A) the Prospectus under the captions "Description of Capital Stock" and "Underwriters" (except relating to price, stabilization, short positions and 8 passive market-making activities, as to which such counsel need not express an opinion) and (B) the Registration Statement in Item 15, in each case insofar as such statements constitute summaries of the legal matters, documents or proceedings referred to therein fairly summarize in all material respects such matters, documents or proceedings; (viii) after due inquiry, such counsel does not know of any legal or governmental proceedings pending or threatened to which the Company is a party or to which any of the properties of the Company is subject that are required to be described in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus and are not so described or of any statutes, regulations, contracts or other documents that are required to be described in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus or to be filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement that are not described or filed as required; (ix) the Company is not, and after giving effect to the offering and sale of the Shares and the application of the proceeds thereof as described in the Prospectus will not be, required to register as an "investment company" as such term is defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended; and (x) nothing has come to the attention of such counsel that causes such counsel to believe that (A) the Registration Statement or the Prospectus (except for the financial statements and the notes and financial schedules thereto and other financial, statistical and accounting information and data included or incorporated by reference therein (collectively, the "Excluded Information"), as to which such counsel need not express any belief) do not comply as to form in all material respects with the requirements of the Securities Act and the applicable rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder, or (B) each document filed pursuant to the Exchange Act and incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus (except for the Excluded Information, as to which such counsel need not express any belief), on the date such document was filed with the Commission, did not comply as to form in all material respects with the requirements of the Exchange Act and the applicable rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder. In addition, such counsel shall state that, although such counsel has not undertaken to determine independently and, therefore, except for the opinions set forth in clauses (c)(iii), (vii) and (ix) above, does not assume any responsibility, explicitly or implicitly, for the accuracy, completeness or fairness of the statements contained in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, such counsel has participated in the preparation of the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, including review and discussion of the contents thereof, and that, based upon and subject to the foregoing and the other qualifications and limitations set forth in such counsel's opinion, nothing has come to the attention of such counsel that causes such counsel to believe that (i) the Registration Statement or the prospectus included therein (except for the Excluded Information, as to which such counsel need not express any belief) at the time the Registration Statement became effective contained an untrue statement of a 9 material fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading or (ii) the Prospectus (except for the Excluded Information, as to which such counsel need not express any belief) as of its date or as of the Closing Date contained or contains an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted or omits to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. In giving such opinion and belief, counsel for the Company may (i) as to matters of fact, rely on certificates of the Company or officers of the Company and other information from governmental officials, (ii) state that it is opining only as to matters of federal and Colorado law, and (iii) state that its opinion and belief are based upon its participation in the preparation of the Registration Statement and Prospectus and any amendments or supplements thereto and review and discussion of the contents thereof, but are without independent check or verification, except as specified. The opinion described in Section 5(c) above shall be rendered to the Underwriters at the request of the Company and shall so state therein. (z) The Underwriters shall have received on the Closing Date an opinion of David Sislowski, general counsel for the Company, dated the Closing Date, to the effect that: (i) to such counsel's knowledge, the Company possesses the Government Licenses necessary to conduct its commercial airline operations as described in the Prospectus and the Company is in compliance with the terms and conditions of all such Government Licenses, except where the failure to so comply would not, singly or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on the Company, and all of the Government Licenses are valid and in full force and effect, except where the invalidity of such Government Licenses or the failure of such Governmental Licenses to be in full force and effect would not have a material adverse effect on the Company; and (ii) the Company is an "air carrier" and a "citizen of the United States" within the meaning of that portion of the United States Code comprising those provisions formerly referred to as the Federal Aviation Act of 1958, and now primarily codified in Title 49 of the United States Code, as amended, and holds an "air carrier operating certificate issued by the Secretary of Transportation" within the meaning of 11 U.S.C. Section 1110. The routes presently operated by the Company as described in the Prospectus are being operated pursuant to valid certificates or authorizations issued by the Federal Aviation Administration. In addition, such counsel shall state that, although such counsel has not undertaken to determine independently, and therefore, does not assume any responsibility, explicitly or implicitly, for, the accuracy, completeness or fairness of the statements contained in the Registration Statement and Prospectus, such 10 counsel has participated in the preparation of the Registration Statement and Prospectus, including review and discussion of the contents thereof, and that, based upon and subject to the foregoing and the other qualifications and limitations set forth in such counsel's opinion, nothing has come to the attention of such counsel that causes such counsel to believe that (i) the Registration Statement or the prospectus included therein (except for the Excluded Information, as to which such counsel need not express any belief) at the time the Registration Statement became effective contained an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading or (ii) the Prospectus (except for the Excluded Information, as to which such counsel need not express any belief) as of its date or as of the Closing Date contained or contains an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted or omits to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. In giving such opinion and belief, such counsel may (i) as to matters of fact, rely on certificates of the Company or officers of the Company and other information from governmental officials, (ii) state that it is opining only as to matters of federal and Colorado law, and (iii) state that its opinion and belief are based upon its participation in the preparation of the Registration Statement and Prospectus and any amendments or supplements thereto and review and discussion of the contents thereof, but are without independent check or verification, except as specified. (aa) The Underwriters shall have received on the Closing Date an opinion of Shearman & Sterling LLP, counsel for the Underwriters, dated the Closing Date (or a letter in the case of Section 5(c)(x)), covering the matters referred to in Sections 5(c)(iv), 5(c)(v), 5(c)(vii) (but only as to the statements in the Prospectus under "Underwriters") and 5(c)(x). (bb) The Underwriters shall have received, on each of the date hereof and the Closing Date, a letter dated the date hereof or the Closing Date, as the case may be, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Underwriters, from KPMG LLP, independent public accountants, containing statements and information of the type ordinarily included in accountants' "comfort letters" to underwriters with respect to the financial statements and certain financial information contained in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus; provided that the letter delivered on the Closing Date shall use a "cut-off date" not earlier than the date hereof. (cc) The "lock-up" agreements, each substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto, between you and the officers and directors, and holders of warrants, of the Company listed in Schedule II hereto relating to sales and certain other dispositions of shares of Common Stock or certain other securities, delivered to you on or before the date hereof, shall be in full force and effect on the Closing Date. 11 (dd) The Underwriters shall have received on the Closing Date such documents as you may reasonably request with respect to the good standing of the Company, the due authorization and issuance of the Shares and other matters related to the issuance of the Shares. The several obligations of the Underwriters to purchase Additional Shares hereunder are subject to the delivery to you on the applicable Option Closing Date of each of the documents referred to above dated as of the Option Closing Date (except that insofar as any documents relate to Shares, they may be limited to covering only Additional Shares). Covenants of the Company. In further consideration of the agreements of the Underwriters herein contained, the Company covenants with each Underwriter as follows: (ee) To furnish to you, without charge, five signed copies of the Registration Statement (including exhibits thereto) and for delivery to each other Underwriter a conformed copy of the Registration Statement (without exhibits thereto) and to furnish to you in New York City, without charge, prior to 10:00 a.m. New York City time on the business day next succeeding the date of this Agreement and during the period mentioned in Section 6(c) below, as many copies of the Prospectus and any supplements and amendments thereto or to the Registration Statement as you may reasonably request. (ff) Before amending or supplementing the Registration Statement or the Prospectus, to furnish to you a copy of each such proposed amendment or supplement and not to file any such proposed amendment or supplement to which you reasonably object, and to file with the Commission within the applicable period specified in Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act any prospectus required to be filed pursuant to such Rule. (gg) If, during such period after the first date of the public offering of the Shares as in the reasonable opinion of counsel for the Underwriters the Prospectus is required by law to be delivered in connection with sales by an Underwriter or dealer, any event shall occur or condition exist as a result of which it is necessary to amend or supplement the Prospectus in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances when the Prospectus is delivered to a purchaser, not misleading, or if, in the reasonable opinion of counsel for the Underwriters, it is necessary to amend or supplement the Prospectus to comply with applicable law, forthwith to prepare, file with the Commission and furnish, at its own expense, to the Underwriters and to the dealers (whose names and addresses you will furnish to the Company) to which Shares may have been sold by you on behalf of the Underwriters and to any other dealers upon request, either amendments or supplements to the Prospectus so that the statements in the Prospectus as so amended or supplemented will not, in the light of the circumstances when the Prospectus is delivered to a purchaser, be misleading or so that the Prospectus, as amended or supplemented, will comply with law. (hh) To endeavor to qualify the Shares for offer and sale under the securities or Blue Sky laws of such jurisdictions as you shall reasonably request. 12 (ii) To make generally available to the Company's security holders and to you as soon as practicable an earning statement covering the twelve-month period ending September 30, 2004 that satisfies the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder. (jj) Whether or not the transactions contemplated in this Agreement are consummated or this Agreement is terminated, to pay or cause to be paid all expenses incident to the performance of its obligations under this Agreement, including: (i) the fees, disbursements and expenses of the Company's counsel and the Company's accountants in connection with the registration and delivery of the Shares under the Securities Act and all other fees or expenses in connection with the preparation and filing of the Registration Statement, any preliminary prospectus, the Prospectus and amendments and supplements to any of the foregoing, including all printing costs associated therewith, and the mailing and delivering of copies thereof to the Underwriters and dealers, in the quantities hereinabove specified, (ii) all costs and expenses related to the transfer and delivery of the Shares to the Underwriters, including any transfer or other taxes payable thereon, (iii) any expenses incurred in connection with the qualification of the Shares for offer and sale under state securities laws as provided in Section 6(d) hereof or in connection with the review and qualification of the offering of the Shares by the NASD, including any filing fees and the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for the Underwriters in connection with such qualification, (iv) all costs and expenses incident to listing the Shares on The Nasdaq National Market, (v) the cost of printing certificates representing the Shares, (vi) the costs and charges of any transfer agent, registrar or depositary, (vii) the costs and expenses of the Company relating to investor presentations on any "road show" undertaken in connection with the marketing of the offering of the Shares, including, without limitation, expenses associated with the production of road show slides and graphics, fees and expenses of any consultants engaged in connection with the road show presentations with the prior approval of the Company, travel and lodging expenses of the representatives and officers of the Company and any such consultants, and the cost of any aircraft chartered in connection with the road show and (viii) all other costs and expenses incident to the performance of the obligations of the Company hereunder for which provision is not otherwise made in this Section. It is understood, however, that except as provided in this Section, Section 7 entitled "Indemnity and Contribution" and the last paragraph of Section 9 below, the Underwriters will pay all of their costs and expenses, including fees and disbursements of their counsel, stock transfer taxes payable on resale of any of the Shares by them and any advertising expenses connected with any offers they may make. Indemnity and Contribution. (kk) The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless each Underwriter, each person, if any, who controls any Underwriter within the meaning of either Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act, and each affiliate of any Underwriter within the meaning of Rule 405 under the Securities Act, from and against any and all losses, claims, damages and liabilities (including, without limitation, any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred in connection with defending or investigating any such action or claim) caused by any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement or any amendment thereof, any preliminary prospectus or the Prospectus (as amended or 13 supplemented if the Company shall have furnished any amendments or supplements thereto), or caused by any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, except insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities are caused by any such untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission based upon information relating to any Underwriter furnished to the Company in writing by such Underwriter through you expressly for use therein; provided, however, that the foregoing indemnity agreement with respect to any preliminary prospectus shall not inure to the benefit of any Underwriter from whom the person asserting any such losses, claims, damages or liabilities purchased Shares, or any person controlling such Underwriter, if a copy of the Prospectus (as then amended or supplemented if the Company shall have furnished any amendments or supplements thereto) was not sent or given by or on behalf of such Underwriter to such person, if required by law so to have been delivered, at or prior to the written confirmation of the sale of the Shares to such person, and if the Prospectus (as so amended or supplemented) would have cured the defect giving rise to such losses, claims, damages or liabilities, unless such failure is the result of noncompliance by the Company with Section 6(a) hereof. (ll) Each Underwriter agrees, severally and not jointly, to indemnify and hold harmless the Company, its directors, its officers who sign the Registration Statement and each person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of either Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act to the same extent as the foregoing indemnity from the Company to such Underwriter, but only with reference to information relating to such Underwriter furnished to the Company in writing by such Underwriter through you expressly for use in the Registration Statement, any preliminary prospectus, the Prospectus or any amendments or supplements thereto. (mm) In case any proceeding (including any governmental investigation) shall be instituted involving any person in respect of which indemnity may be sought pursuant to Section 7(a) or 7(b), such person (the "INDEMNIFIED PARTY") shall promptly notify the person against whom such indemnity may be sought (the "INDEMNIFYING PARTY") in writing and the indemnifying party, upon request of the indemnified party, shall retain counsel reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party to represent the indemnified party and any others the indemnifying party may designate in such proceeding and shall pay the fees and disbursements of such counsel related to such proceeding. In any such proceeding, any indemnified party shall have the right to retain its own counsel, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of such indemnified party unless (i) the indemnifying party and the indemnified party shall have mutually agreed to the retention of such counsel or (ii) the named parties to any such proceeding (including any impleaded parties) include both the indemnifying party and the indemnified party and representation of both parties by the same counsel would be inappropriate due to actual or potential differing interests between them. It is understood that the indemnifying party shall not, in respect of the legal expenses of any indemnified party in connection with any proceeding or related proceedings in the same jurisdiction, be liable for the fees and expenses of more than one separate firm (in addition to any local counsel) for all such indemnified parties and that all such fees and expenses shall be reimbursed as they are incurred. Such firm shall be designated in writing by Morgan Stanley & Co. 14 Incorporated, in the case of parties indemnified pursuant to Section 7(a), and by the Company, in the case of parties indemnified pursuant to Section 7(b). The indemnifying party shall not be liable for any settlement of any proceeding effected without its written consent, but if settled with such consent or if there be a final judgment for the plaintiff, the indemnifying party agrees to indemnify the indemnified party from and against any loss or liability by reason of such settlement or judgment. Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, if at any time an indemnified party shall have requested an indemnifying party to reimburse the indemnified party for fees and expenses of counsel as contemplated by the second and third sentences of this paragraph, the indemnifying party agrees that it shall be liable for any settlement of any proceeding effected without its written consent if (i) such settlement is entered into more than 30 days after receipt by such indemnifying party of the aforesaid request and (ii) such indemnifying party shall not have reimbursed the indemnified party in accordance with such request prior to the date of such settlement. No indemnifying party shall, without the prior written consent of the indemnified party, effect any settlement of any pending or threatened proceeding in respect of which any indemnified party is or could have been a party and indemnity could have been sought hereunder by such indemnified party, unless such settlement includes an unconditional release of such indemnified party from all liability on claims that are the subject matter of such proceeding. (nn) To the extent the indemnification provided for in Section 7(a) or 7(b) is unavailable to an indemnified party or insufficient in respect of any losses, claims, damages or liabilities referred to therein, then each indemnifying party under such paragraph, in lieu of indemnifying such indemnified party thereunder, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such indemnified party as a result of such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (i) in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the Company on the one hand and the Underwriters on the other hand from the offering of the Shares or (ii) if the allocation provided by clause 7(d)(i) above is not permitted by applicable law, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only the relative benefits referred to in clause 7(d)(i) above but also the relative fault of the Company on the one hand and of the Underwriters on the other hand in connection with the statements or omissions that resulted in such losses, claims, damages or liabilities, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative benefits received by the Company on the one hand and the Underwriters on the other hand in connection with the offering of the Shares shall be deemed to be in the same respective proportions as the net proceeds from the offering of the Shares (before deducting expenses) received by the Company and the total underwriting discounts and commissions received by the Underwriters, in each case as set forth in the table on the cover of the Prospectus, bear to the aggregate Public Offering Price of the Shares. The relative fault of the Company on the one hand and the Underwriters on the other hand shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the Company or by the Underwriters and the parties' relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission. The Underwriters' respective obligations to contribute pursuant to this Section 7 are several in proportion to the respective number of Shares they have purchased hereunder, and not joint. 15 (oo) The Company and the Underwriters agree that it would not be just or equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 7 were determined by pro rata allocation (even if the Underwriters were treated as one entity for such purpose) or by any other method of allocation that does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to in Section 7(d). The amount paid or payable by an indemnified party as a result of the losses, claims, damages and liabilities referred to in the immediately preceding paragraph shall be deemed to include, subject to the limitations set forth above, any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such indemnified party in connection with investigating or defending any such action or claim. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 7, no Underwriter shall be required to contribute any amount in excess of the amount by which the total price at which the Shares underwritten by it and distributed to the public were offered to the public exceeds the amount of any damages that such Underwriter has otherwise been required to pay by reason of such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission. No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. The remedies provided for in this Section 7 are not exclusive and shall not limit any rights or remedies which may otherwise be available to any indemnified party at law or in equity. (pp) The indemnity and contribution provisions contained in this Section 7 and the representations, warranties and other statements of the Company contained in this Agreement shall remain operative and in full force and effect regardless of (i) any termination of this Agreement, (ii) any investigation made by or on behalf of any Underwriter, any person controlling any Underwriter or any affiliate of any Underwriter or by or on behalf of the Company, its officers or directors or any person controlling the Company and (iii) acceptance of and payment for any of the Shares. Termination. The Underwriters may terminate this Agreement by notice given by you to the Company, if after the execution and delivery of this Agreement and prior to the Closing Date (i) trading generally shall have been suspended or materially limited on, or by, as the case may be, any of the New York Stock Exchange, the American Stock Exchange or The Nasdaq National Market, (ii) trading of any securities of the Company shall have been suspended on any exchange or in any over-the-counter market, (iii) a material disruption in securities settlement, payment or clearance services in the United States shall have occurred, (iv) any moratorium on commercial banking activities shall have been declared by either Federal or New York State authorities or (v) there shall have occurred any outbreak or escalation of hostilities or any change in financial markets or any calamity or crisis that, in your judgment, is material and adverse and which singly or together with any other event specified in this clause (v), makes it, in your judgment, impracticable or inadvisable to proceed with the offer, sale or delivery of the Shares on the terms and in the manner contemplated in the Prospectus. Effectiveness; Defaulting Underwriters. This Agreement shall become effective upon the execution and delivery hereof by the parties hereto. If, on the Closing Date or an Option Closing Date, as the case may be, any one or more of the Underwriters shall fail or refuse to purchase Shares that it has or they have agreed to 16 purchase hereunder on such date, and the aggregate number of Shares which such defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters agreed but failed or refused to purchase is not more than one-tenth of the aggregate number of the Shares to be purchased on such date, the other Underwriters shall be obligated severally in the proportions that the number of Firm Shares set forth opposite their respective names in Schedule I bears to the aggregate number of Firm Shares set forth opposite the names of all such non-defaulting Underwriters, or in such other proportions as you may specify, to purchase the Shares which such defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters agreed but failed or refused to purchase on such date; provided that in no event shall the number of Shares that any Underwriter has agreed to purchase pursuant to this Agreement be increased pursuant to this Section 9 by an amount in excess of one-ninth of such number of Shares without the written consent of such Underwriter. If, on the Closing Date, any Underwriter or Underwriters shall fail or refuse to purchase Firm Shares and the aggregate number of Firm Shares with respect to which such default occurs is more than one-tenth of the aggregate number of Firm Shares to be purchased, and arrangements satisfactory to you and the Company for the purchase of such Firm Shares are not made within 36 hours after such default, this Agreement shall terminate without liability on the part of any non-defaulting Underwriter or the Company. In any such case either you or the Company shall have the right to postpone the Closing Date, but in no event for longer than seven days, in order that the required changes, if any, in the Registration Statement and in the Prospectus or in any other documents or arrangements may be effected. If, on an Option Closing Date, any Underwriter or Underwriters shall fail or refuse to purchase Additional Shares and the aggregate number of Additional Shares with respect to which such default occurs is more than one-tenth of the aggregate number of Additional Shares to be purchased on such Option Closing Date, the non-defaulting Underwriters shall have the option to (i) terminate their obligation hereunder to purchase the Additional Shares to be sold on such Option Closing Date or (ii) purchase not less than the number of Additional Shares that such non-defaulting Underwriters would have been obligated to purchase in the absence of such default. Any action taken under this paragraph shall not relieve any defaulting Underwriter from liability in respect of any default of such Underwriter under this Agreement. If this Agreement shall be terminated by the Underwriters, or any of them, because of any failure or refusal on the part of the Company to comply with the terms or to fulfill any of the conditions of this Agreement, or if for any reason the Company shall be unable to perform its obligations under this Agreement, the Company will reimburse the Underwriters or such Underwriters as have so terminated this Agreement with respect to themselves, severally, for all out-of-pocket expenses (including the reasonable fees and disbursements of their counsel) reasonably incurred by such Underwriters in connection with this Agreement or the offering contemplated hereunder. Counterparts. This Agreement may be signed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be an original, with the same effect as if the signatures thereto and hereto were upon the same instrument. Applicable Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the internal laws of the State of New York. Headings. The headings of the sections of this Agreement have been inserted for convenience of reference only and shall not be deemed a part of this Agreement. 17 Very truly yours, FRONTIER AIRLINES, INC. By: ---------------------------------------------- Name: Jeff S. Potter Title: President and Chief Executive Officer By: ---------------------------------------------- Name: Paul H. Tate Title: Chief Financial Officer Accepted as of the date hereof MORGAN STANLEY & CO. INCORPORATED MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH INCORPORATED RAYMOND JAMES & ASSOCIATES, INC. Acting severally on behalf of themselves and the several Underwriters named in Schedule I hereto. By: MORGAN STANLEY & CO. INCORPORATED By: ----------------------------------------- Name: Kenneth G. Pott Title: Managing Director 18 -----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----