This CEO will lead Spirit into its post-bankruptcy future

The new chief executive comes from rival low-cost carrier Sun Country Airlines.

Apr 17, 2025 - 15:26

This CEO will lead Spirit into its post-bankruptcy future

While the low-cost airline initially insisted that former CEO Ted Christie would continue to lead after it filed for bankruptcy and later emerged from it with a deal to go private, the longtime Spirit Airlines (SAVE) executive was officially given the boot on April 7.

"Ted has kept the company together through challenging times, and for this we wish him all the best going forward," Spirit Chairman Robert Milton said in a statement that also announced the departure of Chief Commercial Officer Matt Klein.

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Spirit Airlines says it is 'excited to welcome' new CEO from rival airline

While Christie was initially replaced by an interim team of CFO Fred Cromer, COO John Bendoraitis and SVP and General Counsel Thomas Canfield, Spirit has now announced that Sun Country (SNCY) Chief Financial Officer and President Dave Davis will be stepping in as the new president and chief executive officer effective April 21.

"We're excited to welcome Dave as Spirit's new President and CEO," Spirit Chairman Robert Milton said in a statement. "He brings with him a wealth of experience and a solid track record of accomplishments from his many years in the airline industry. Dave's background at both Northwest Airlines and, more recently, at Sun Country Airlines, positions him well to lead Spirit's continued transformation."

Launched out of Minneapolis in 1982, Sun Country is a competing low-cost airline serving approximately 140 destinations in the U.S., Canada and Mexico. Unlike Spirit, it also operates as a charter and cargo operator providing service to other airlines.

According to his biography description on the Sun Country website, Davis served as the airline's CEO from 2014 to 2017 before stepping down to be an advisor and then taking on the role of CFO. He has also served on Sun Country's board since April 2018.

New Spirit CEO speaks of 'critical time in company's history'

"I am thrilled to join Spirit at this critical time in the company's history," Davis said in a statement. "I look forward to working with the more than 11,000 Spirit Team Members to deliver value for our Guests, shareholders and the communities that we serve."

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Other new appointments that Spirit revealed in the same announcement include Senior Commercial Advisor Trey Urbahn and Senior Vice President, Corporate Communications Duncan Dee. The latter is a Canadian aviation analyst who spent several decades providing commentary to national broadcaster CBC and other outlets like CTV and Global News while Urbahn comes from a career rising up to leadership roles at airlines like Etihad, JetBlue Airways (JBLU) and TAP Air Portugal.

Members of the interim CEO team like Bendoraitis, Cromer and Canfield will resume to work exclusively in their respective roles.

"Spirit is pleased to welcome these new additions to our leadership team as the company continues to advance its transformation," Milton concluded of the changes while adding hopes that the new appointments will help "execute a powerful new plan that will propel Spirit forward."

At the time it filed for bankruptcy in November 2024, Spirit had amassed debts totaling over $3.1 billion. The carrier announced that it was going private on Feb. 20.