Allegiant Travel Co.’s acquisition of Sun Country Airlines closed on Wednesday, and the chief executive of the combined company, Greg Anderson, said Allegiant Air will continue to stand out despite industry turmoil, including a surge in jet fuel costs.
“Our model was built to protect margins and not chase growth,” Anderson said in an interview with CNBC.
The Las Vegas-based airline announced its $1.5 billion cash-and-stock agreement, including debt, to buy Minneapolis-based Sun Country in January. The brands and booking portals will remain separate, for now.
The combined carrier, which Allegiant said will serve about 175 cities with more than 650 routes, will continue to be surgical about capacity growth, Anderson said.
