Allegiant Travel Company Completes Acquisition of Sun Country Airlines
- Joe Breitfeller
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
Allegiant Travel Company has announced the completion of their acquisition of Sun Country Airlines, creating the leading U.S. leisure-focused airline. The combined company’s network will serve nearly 175 cities with over 650 routes.
On Wednesday (May 13, 2026), Allegiant Travel Company announced their successful completion of the acquisition of Sun Country Airlines Holdings, Inc., bringing together two complementary carriers focused on affordable leisure travel. The transaction closed following satisfaction of customary closing conditions, including receipt of required regulatory approvals and approval by the shareholders of each of Allegiant and Sun Country. The combination strengthens Allegiant’s position as a leading U.S. leisure airline by expanding their network, increasing scale, and enhancing its diversified operating model.
In Wednesday’s announcement, Allegiant Travel Company’s CEO, Greg Anderson, said,
“Today marks a defining moment in Allegiant’s history as we officially join forces with Sun Country to create the leading leisure-focused airline in the United States. With a combined fleet of 195 aircraft serving nearly 175 cities, we are expanding access to affordable, reliable, and convenient travel for the communities that have long been the foundation of our business, while offering customers broader reach and more destinations. By bringing together two strong airlines with similar business models, we are creating a more differentiated and durable airline – one well positioned to deliver lasting value for our customers, team members, and shareholders. I want to recognize Team Allegiant and Team Sun Country, whose dedication and hard work made this day possible.”
Customers of both airlines can continue to book travel through existing channels, and there are no changes to current reservations, flight schedules, or travel plans. Both airlines will continue to operate as separate carriers in the near term, maintaining their respective brands. For now, Allegiant Allways Rewards and Sun Country Rewards will remain separate, and members’ points, benefits, and account status will retain their current value. Customers should continue to manage reservations, check in, and access customer service through the airline with which they booked travel. In the future, Allegiant will introduce additional benefits that make it easier for customers to access the combined network.
With the acquisition, there will be no immediate changes to frontline roles, and operational employees will continue in their current positions. The company will work closely with labor representatives throughout the integration process, and all existing collective bargaining agreements will remain in place. At the corporate level, some roles may overlap as functions are integrated, though any potential changes will be evaluated carefully, with a focus on fairness, respect, and clear communication. Allegiant Travel values Sun Country’s deep roots in Minnesota, and expects Minneapolis-St. Paul to remain an important operating center for the combined company. Combined, Allegiant and Sun Country will serve approximately 22 million customers annually across nearly 175 cities, with over 650 routes and a combined fleet of 195 aircraft.
Allegiant expects to realize approximately $140 million in annual synergies within three years following closing and integration of Sun Country, driven by expanded customer choice across the combined network, scale efficiencies, fleet optimization, and procurement benefits. The transaction is expected to be accretive to earnings per share in the first full year post-closing, while maintaining balance sheet flexibility.
Sun Country's cargo operations for Amazon Prime Air and charter contracts with casinos, Major League Soccer, collegiate sports teams, and the Department of Defense, complement Allegiant’s existing charter business and further diversify the combined company’s revenue base. With 195 aircraft at closing, 30 aircraft on order and an additional 80 options, the combined company will have greater flexibility to optimize aircraft deployment, improve utilization, and support long-term growth through economic cycles.
Greg Anderson will serve as Chief Executive Officer of the combined company, and Robert Neal will serve as President and Chief Financial Officer. Jude Bricker, Jennifer Vogel and Thomas C. Kennedy were appointed as members of Allegiant’s Board of Directors. Sun Country common stock has ceased trading on the NASDAQ, and Allegiant Travel Company will continue to trade on the NASDAQ under the ticker symbol ‘ALGT.’
Las Vegas-based Allegiant Travel Company (NASDAQ: ALGT) is an integrated travel company with an airline at its heart, focused on connecting customers with the people, places and experiences that matter most. Since 1999, Allegiant Air has linked travelers in small-to-medium cities to world-class vacation destinations with all-nonstop flights and industry-low average fares. Today, Allegiant’s fleet serves communities across the nation, with base airfares less than half the cost of the average domestic roundtrip ticket. Allegiant operates a fleet of Airbus A320 Family and Boeing 737 MAX Family aircraft. On May 13, 2026, Allegiant completed the acquisition of Sun Country Airlines Holdings, Inc., creating a combined airline serving nearly 175 cities, with over 650 routes and a combined fleet of 195 aircraft.
Source: Allegiant Travel Company
