FAA plans $380,000 fine against Frontier Airlines

WASHINGTON -- Federal regulators are proposing a $380,000 civil penalty against Frontier Airlines for using the wrong sign to guide passengers toward one of the emergency exits on its planes.

The Federal Aviation Administration said on Friday that Frontier operated about 900 flights without the right signs.

The FAA says that in 2008 and 2009, Frontier reconfigured the cabins on some of its Airbus A318s and A319s to that two aisles could access the emergency exits over the wings. But the signs didn't show the new layout.

The airline has 30 days to respond.

Frontier is based in Denver, and is owned by Republic Airways Holdings Inc. in Indianapolis. A Republic spokesman did not immediately return a call seeking comment.