Spirit Airlines has hired Dave Davis, the former President and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of Sun Country Airlines, to lead the airline in its post-Chapter 11 bankruptcy era.
Spirit Airlines
IATA/ICAO Code
NK/NKS
Year Founded
1983
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Ted Christie, the now-former President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Spirit Airlines, “stepped down,” which was not surprising, given that six of the seven members of the airline’s board were new following the end of the bankruptcy proceedings.
New CEO
Photo: lorenzatx | Shutterstock
Spirit Airlines announced that Davis, the former President and CFO of Sun Country Airlines,
will replace Christie, the former President and CEO of the low-cost carrier that recently exited Chapter 11 bankruptcy, effective April 21. According to Spirit Airlines, its new chief executive held various C-level roles at Sun Country Airlines, Global Eagle Entertainment, a provider of media content and satellite-based connectivity for aviation and other industries, and Northwest Airlines. In addition, Davis held senior finance leadership positions at US Airways and other companies. Currently, he serves on the board of directors of Spain-based low-cost carrier Volotea.
Davis stated that he was thrilled to join Spirit Airlines at such a critical time for the airline, adding that he was looking forward to working with the airline’s employees to deliver value for its passengers, shareholders, and communities served by the carrier. Robert Milton, the Chairman of Spirit Airlines, said that the company is excited to welcome Davis.
“He brings with him a wealth of experience and a solid track record of accomplishments from his many years in the airline industry. [Davis’] background at both Northwest Airlines and, more recently, at Sun Country Airlines, positions him well to lead Spirit’s continued transformation.”
Other Executive Appointments
Photo: Markus Mainka | Shutterstock
In addition to welcoming the former Sun Country Airlines executive, Spirit Airlines also announced that Duncan Dee, a former Air Canada executive, including a stint as the Chief Operating Officer (COO), and Trey Urbahn, who held key commercial leadership roles at such carriers as Azul Brazilian Airlines, Breeze Airways,
Etihad Airways, JetBlue,
and TAP Air Portugal, would be joining the airline. Four out of five companies were founded or run by David Neeleman, the current CEO of Breeze Airways.
Dee will become Spirit Airlines’ Senior Vice President of Corporate Communications, responsible for the company’s internal and external communication, while Ubrahn will assume the role of Senior Commercial Advisor. He will support the carrier’s commercial efforts, including network, pricing, yield management, and onboard experience, including the cabin configurations.
Milton added that Spirit Airlines was pleased to welcome Davis, Dee, and Urbahn to its leadership team as the company continues moving forward with its transformation. The Chair concluded by thanking the airline’s frontline employees, whose commitment to passengers, the company, and safety never wavered during the bankruptcy period. Spirit Airlines, which entered into voluntary Chapter 11 bankruptcy on November 18, concluded the proceedings on March 12.
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Spirit Airlines Exits Bankruptcy With $795 Million Debt Reduction & Fresh Funding
Spirit Airlines will have six new Board members, with only Ted Christie, the President and CEO, remaining on the Board.
Leadership Transition
In early April, Christie, the now-former President and CEO, as well as Matthew Klein, the now-former Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) of Spirit Airlines, both “stepped down” from their roles, with the Board establishing a committee to search for a new CEO immediately after. Klein was replaced by Rana Ghosh, the then-Senior Vice President and Chief Transformation Officer (CTO).
At the time, Milton thanked Christie and Klein for their contributions to the company, adding that Christie had seen a lot during his 13-year tenure at the airline, including the pandemic and, most recently, the corporate restructuring of Spirit Airlines. “Ted [Christie] has kept the company together through challenging times, and for this we wish him all the best going forward,” Milton concluded.
Whether Christie stepped down voluntarily or with a little nudge from the board, which now has six new members, is unclear. However, when Spirit Airlines issued its 2024 annual report on March 3, which included a $1.2 billion net loss, the company outlined that one of the risks was that following the consummation of the Chapter 11 plan, the board will consist of six new members, who could have different views of the airline’s strategic plans and priorities.
