The story
Early years and bankruptcies (1983–2001)
Sun Country was incorporated on July 2, 1982, and received its certificate of public necessity and convenience from the Civil Aeronautics Board on January 17, 1983. The airline began charter operations shortly afterward, with its first revenue flight operating on January 20, 1983, between Sioux Falls and Las Vegas using a Boeing 727 leased from Air Florida.
The airline's original staff included 16 pilots, 16 flight attendants, three mechanics, and one office employee. Several early employees had previously worked for Braniff International Airways, which ceased operations in 1982. Captain Jim Olsen served as the company's founder, president, chief executive officer, and chief pilot, while his wife Joan Smith-Olsen led inflight operations.
By 1988, the airline's headquarters were located at Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport. Scheduled passenger service began in 1995 with flights from Minneapolis to several major cities. Financial difficulties led the airline to suspend operations in 2001.
Petters Group Worldwide ownership (2006–2008)
Sun Country was acquired out of bankruptcy in 2006 by Petters Group Worldwide and Whitebox Advisors. Stan Gadek, the former CFO of AirTran Airways was named CEO. The airline faced financial strain during the Great Recession and after revelations that Petters Group had operated a $3.25 billion Ponzi scheme.
Rising fuel costs led the airline to furlough 45 of its 156 pilots and reduce its summer schedule in 2008. The airline also reduced service to San Francisco and Los Angeles and introduced fees for checked bags. Later that year, Gadek requested a 50 percent pay deferral for remaining employees. In September 2008, Petters Group CEO Tom Petters resigned after an FBI investigation uncovered large-scale financial fraud involving Petters Group. Sun Country filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection for a second time on October 6, 2008.
Rebuilding and Davis brothers ownership (2011–2017)
The Davis family, owners of Cambria, acquired Sun Country out of bankruptcy in July 2011 for $34 million. Cambria chief executive Marty Davis became chairman.
Sun Country appointed Zarir Erani as president and CEO in 2015. The airline reported net income of $27 million in 2015, followed by a decline to $16 million in 2016.
In July 2017, after more than a year of missed earnings projections, Erani was replaced by former Allegiant Air executive Jude Bricker as CEO. Under Bricker's leadership, Sun Country began shifting toward an ultra-low-cost carrier model.
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Apollo Global Management ownership (2017–2025)
Under Bricker's leadership, Sun Country transitioned from private to public ownership, navigated the COVID-19 pandemic, and shifted toward an ultra-low-cost carrier business model. During this period, the airline improved its profitability, expanded its scale of operations, and pursued strategies intended to reduce exposure to the volatility of the airline industry.
Funds affiliated with the private equity firm Apollo Global Management acquired Sun Country in December 2017 for an undisclosed amount. In December 2019, Amazon Air purchased a minority stake in the airline from Apollo and announced plans for Sun Country to operate cargo flights on Amazon's behalf. Sun Country initially operated ten cargo aircraft for Amazon and launched its first cargo flight in May 2020.
Sun Country became a publicly traded company on March 17, 2021, listing on the NASDAQ under the ticker symbol SNCY.
By June 2024, the airline operated 12 cargo aircraft under contract with Amazon Air. The two companies later extended their agreement through 2030, with Amazon agreeing to transfer eight additional Boeing 737-800BCF aircraft to Sun Country, increasing the cargo fleet to 20 aircraft.
Apollo Global sold its remaining shares in Sun Country through a secondary public offering in February 2025.
Acquisition by Allegiant Travel Company (2026)
Allegiant Travel Company, parent company of Allegiant Air, announced on January 11, 2026, that it had reached an agreement to acquire Sun Country for approximately $1.5 billion. Under the agreement, Allegiant would assume Sun Country's operations, including its employees, aircraft, routes, charter operations, debt obligations, and cargo contracts. The combined airline would operate under the Allegiant brand. The combined airline would maintain significant operations at Minneapolis–Saint Paul.
The United States Department of Transportation approved the merger on April 15, 2026, and shareholders of both airlines approved the transaction on May 8, 2026. The transaction closed on May 13, 2026.
Following the merger, Allegiant shareholders owned approximately 67 percent of the combined company, while Sun Country shareholders owned the remaining 33 percent. Sun Country CEO Jude Bricker and chairwoman Jennifer Vogel joined the board of directors of the combined company.
Allegiant and Sun Country will continue to operate separately while working toward a single operating certificate.
From Wikipedia’s article on Sun Country Airlines, shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.3