Jude Bricker To Remain As CEO Of The carrier

A definitive agreement has been reached for the acquisition of Sun County Airlines by funds affiliated with Apollo Global Management from brothers Marty and Mitch Davis. The transaction, which is subject to regulatory approvals and other customary conditions, is targeted to close during the first quarter of 2018. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Sun Country, based in Minnesota, flies passengers to leisure destinations across the U.S. and internationally and specializes in flying from cold weather locales to warm weather destinations.  The Company, which currently flies approximately 2.5 million passengers per year, enjoys significant brand presence in the Minnesota region and greatly values its connection to the local community.

“We are tremendously excited about the acquisition of Sun Country,” said Antoine Munfakh, Partner at Apollo. “Sun Country presents compelling opportunities for innovation, efficiency and growth. Underpinned by a solid foundation of assets and people, including an outstanding team of executives and talented flight crews, we believe Sun Country has a very bright future. We look forward to supporting CEO Jude Bricker in delivering the next chapter of Sun Country’s growth through the combination of operational excellence and the relentless pursuit of delivering customer service and value.”

“I'd like to thank Marty and Mitch for their strong support and stewardship of this very special airline," said Jude Bricker, who will remain as CEO of Sun Country. "I look forward to working with Apollo to further enhance and grow Sun Country’s business.”

"We are particularly pleased to sell Sun Country to Apollo because it has a proven track record for successfully helping companies grow and generate long-term value," said Sun Country Chairman Marty Davis. "With Jude at the helm, along with the dedicated employees who make Sun Country what it is today, we are confident the company is well-positioned for continued expansion and its evolution beyond its Minnesota base.”

“Early this morning, Sun Country CEO Jude Bricker contacted the MEC to notify us that the airline had been sold. We support management’s desire to increase the Sun Country fleet and provide new jobs and opportunities for our pilots and are eager to know more about the new owner’s plans for the airline," said Capt. Brian Roseen, chairman of the Sun Country Airlines Master Executive Council (MEC) of the Air Line Pilots Association.
 
 “The Sun Country pilot group is committed to doing our part to continue to deliver top-notch service to our customers during this ownership transition and change of direction for the company. The MEC looks forward to working together with management and our new owners, while ensuring that the goals of the Sun Country pilots are achieved.”

(Source: Sun Country Airlines and ALPA news releases. Image from YouTube)

FMI: www.suncountry.com