Sun Country Airlines new CEO is former Allegiant Airlines exec

Sun Country Airlines, which begins service between Charles M. Schulz–Sonoma County Airport and Minneapolis–St. Paul in August, named Jude Bricker to be its new president and chief executive officer.

Bricker previously served as the chief operating officer and executive vice president of Allegiant Airlines from May 2006 through May 2017, first as manager of fleet planning then director of fleet planning, vice president of corporate finance and senior vice president of planning, according to the July 10 announcement. Bricker was promoted to the top operations position at Allegiant in January 2016.

Both airlines have Sonoma County connections. Las Vegas-based Allegiant on July 10 said it planned to pull out of Sonoma County Airport in August. The airline had started flights to Santa Rosa from Las Vegas and Mesa, Arizona, in May 2016, dropping the latter route in January.

Starting Aug. 24, Sun Country will operate one flight a week between Santa Rosa and Minneapolis, arriving each Thursday and departing on Sundays.

'We are pleased to have Jude Bricker joining us at Sun Country to lead our organization going forward,' said Marty Davis, chairman of the Minneapolis-based airline. 'Sun Country is composed of a tremendously experienced group of employees. Our ongoing challenge is to grow this business in the most optimal manner and do so within the market opportunities before us. Jude will lead that effort.'

Bricker replaces Zarir Erani, who was asked to step down, it was revealed July 6. Erani will be involved in other activities within Cambria Company, which has owned Sun Country since 2011.

'I am excited to be joining Sun Country. This team has established Sun Country as a preeminent name in travel in Minnesota,' Bricker said. 'I look forward to continuing the tradition of customer focus while delivering safe and reliable service to top destinations.'

Bricker and his wife, Ty, have three children, and the family is said to be moving to Minnesota from Las Vegas in the near future.

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