Allegiant and Sun County Airlines join forces as CEO eyes future opportunities

Leisure operators Allegiant Air and Sun County Airlines have finalized their merger after securing regulatory and shareholder approval for the deal.

On May 14, 2026, the now combined Allegiant Air and Sun County Airlines CEO Gregory Anderson said he was not only excited by the scale of the combination but also the “opportunity it creates for the future”.

News that the two companies would join forces broke in January 2026, as part of a $1.5 billion agreement that saw Allegiant acquire Sun Country Airlines.

Together, Allegiant and Sun Country will operate a fleet of 195 aircraft, with a further 30 aircraft on order and an additional 80 as possible future options.

According to the two airlines, Allegiant and Sun Country will serve around 22 million annual customers across nearly 175 cities, with more than 650 routes.

lorenzatx / Shutterstock.com“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,” said Anderson. “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.”

In a LinkedIn post, Anderson added: “By bringing together scheduled service, charter, and cargo operations under one diversified platform, we are building a stronger, more resilient company positioned for long-term growth and value creation.”

Both airlines will continue to operate as separate carriers in the near term, maintaining their respective brands.

In a statement, the company said there were no immediate changes to frontline roles, and operational employees will continue in their current positions.

“Financially, the combination of Allegiant and Sun Country brings together two profitable airlines with complementary networks, diversified revenue streams and strong balance sheets, creating a platform with meaningful long-term value creation potential,” said a spokesperson for the airlines.

It’s official! With all required approvals received, the transaction combining Allegiant and Sun Country has closed. This marks a major milestone and the beginning of an exciting new chapter in leisure travel. Together, we’ll create more opportunities for travelers,… pic.twitter.com/hRuvbtdZgI— Allegiant Air (@Allegiant) May 13, 2026 Allegiant said it expects to realize approximately $140 million in annual synergies within three years following “closing and integration, driven by expanded customer choice across the combined network, scale efficiencies, fleet optimization, and procurement benefits.”.

Robert Neal will serve as President and CFO while Jude Bricker, Jennifer Vogel and Thomas Kennedy were appointed as members of Allegiant’s Board of Directors.

Commenting on the completed merger, Neal said: “Proud to mark a historic day for Allegiant and Sun Country as we officially join forces! This combination brings together two highly complementary organizations with a shared focus on affordable leisure travel, strong ops performance, and long-term value creation. Together, we are expanding our network, increasing scale, and strengthening a diversified business model that includes scheduled service, charter, and cargo operations.”

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