summary
- Sun Country Airlines will add eight new domestic routes and offer seasonal nonstop service between Minneapolis and St. Louis. Paul International Airport to cities like Albuquerque, Boise, and Syracuse.
- The company also plans to expand its Canadian service by introducing direct flights to Montreal and Toronto, pending final approval.
- Over the past five years, Sun Country Airlines has more than doubled the number of destinations served nonstop from Minneapolis as it strives to be customers’ leisure airline of choice. CEO Jude Bricker has a unique management style that focuses on making big decisions rather than perfection.
U.S. leisure airline Sun Country Airlines has announced eight new U.S. domestic seasonal routes and, pending final approval, nonstop service to Montreal and Toronto in Canada next summer. The expansion brings Sun Country’s network to 120 routes at 104 airports in the United States, Mexico, Central America, Canada and the Caribbean.
Leisure airline adds 8 US routes
Sun Country Airlines announced on Oct. 17 eight new domestic seasonal nonstop flights between Minneapolis and St. Louis. Paul International Airport (MSP). The routes will launch in June next year, with most routes operating twice a week. The exception is Dulles, which operates four times a week.
- Albuquerque International Sunport (ABQ), New Mexico
- Billings Logan International Airport (BIL), Montana
- Boise Airport (BOI), Idaho
- Dulles International Airport (IAD), Virginia/Washington DC
- Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GRR), Grand Rapids, Michigan
- Missoula Montana Airport (MSO) (Montana)
- Oakland International Airport (OAK), California
- Syracuse Hancock International Airport (SYR), New York
But that’s not Sun Country Airlines’ only expansion…
Two new Canadian destinations for Sun Country Airlines
Sun Country Airlines already flies to Vancouver, British Columbia, but if final approval is granted, new flights to Montreal Trudeau International Airport (YUL) and Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) will be launched in June 2024. There are plans to open direct flights. The addition to Sun Country’s product portfolio has airline executives excited, said Grant Whitney, senior vice president and chief revenue officer.
“Sun Country is proud to be the leisure airline of choice for MSP customers. Over the past five years, we have more than doubled the number of nonstop destinations our customers fly to from MSP. We are excited to offer these unique new services across the continent, from Quebec to New Mexico.”
With the addition of these two airports and eight other U.S. airports, Sun Country will offer up to 120 routes to 104 airports in the U.S., Mexico, Central America, Canada and the Caribbean next summer. The airline prides itself on transporting people to and from their vacation destinations, but it also has a side business in air cargo and charters.
According to ch-aviation’s database, the airline has 42 Boeing 737-800s and one Boeing 737-700. Sun Country is also working with Oman Air and KGAL to acquire five 737-900ERs through dry lease agreements, with Oman Air paying rental fees to Sun Country Air.
CEO Jude Bricker’s unique management style
Airline Observer recently profiled Jude Bricker, CEO of Sun Country Airlines. Bricker makes it clear in his profile that he doesn’t get too involved in the details. However, Bricker has helped lead the airline’s aircraft procurement efforts, including his aforementioned 737-900ER for Oman Air. For Bricker, Allegiant Air’s strategy of acquiring used aircraft, which it flies only when needed, is important. Again, Sun Country Airlines is a leisure-first, hybrid airline that flies less frequently to leisure destinations, compared to Emirates and Qatar, which fly passengers and cargo daily to hub cities. It’s not aviation.
Photo: Joe Kunzler | Simple Flight
Bricker also described his decision-making process as a former U.S. Marine Corps officer:
- “A good decision in moderation is better than a perfect decision late.”
- “I generally have a high risk tolerance. We can make decisions even if it’s not clear. I’m comfortable forcing the issue.”
Materials for considering new routes for Bricker Airlines.
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sauce: airline observer
