Frontier Airlines Names CEO

DENVER - Frontier Airlines Holdings Inc. said Tuesday it has named former chief operating officer Sean Menke as its new chief executive to replace Jeff Potter.

Menke, who has more than 15 years of airline industry experience, will take over Sept. 7, a day after Potter's resignation is effective, although both will be on Frontier's board.

Menke until recently was an executive vice president overseeing commercial strategy for Air Canada, a position he has held since June 2005 when he left the Denver-based low-cost carrier.

Menke takes over as Frontier is locked in competition with United Airlines and Southwest Airlines (nyse: LUV - news - people ) at Denver International Airport and, like others in the industry, coping with high fuel prices.

During his five-year tenure at Frontier, Menke was responsible for a number of areas including customer service, maintenance and flight operations as well as overseeing the launch of the successful marketing campaign that features images of animals on aircraft tails.

He previously worked at a number of carriers including United Airlines, America West (nyse: LCC - news - people ) Airlines and the former Western Pacific Airlines (other-otc: WPACQ.PK - news - people ), which was based in Colorado Springs.

Potter will become head of Denver-based Exclusive Resorts, a privately held luxury destination club.

Frontier Airlines (nasdaq: FRNT - news - people ) shares slipped 7 cents to $5.34 in early trading Tuesday.