Summary
- John Redmond has resigned as CEO of Allegiant Travel Company, and founder Maury Gallagher will be taking over as the airline’s leader.
- Gallagher is excited to return to the company he founded over 20 years ago and is confident in the leadership team he will be working with.
- Allegiant Travel Company is expanding its operations in other leisure travel sectors, particularly in the resort market, with the upcoming opening of Sunseeker Resort in Florida.
On 28 September 2023, the Allegiant Travel Company, the parent company of ultra-low-cost carrier Allegiant Air, announced today that John Redmond has resigned as Chief Executive Officer effective immediately. Additionally, Maurice “Maury” Gallagher, the carrier’s legendary founder, would return to the company as the airline’s leader.
Photo: Markus Mainka | Shutterstock
Prior to resuming his position as Chief Executive Officer, Gallagher sat on the carrier’s board as executive chairman. Furthermore, Gallagher was and remains one of the company’s largest individual shareholders.
Gallagher’s return
Gallagher founded his first airline in 1978, leading the small carrier WestJeet until 1992. By 2001, Gallagher would take control of a small Fresno, California-based airline following a bankruptcy. Then, he would move the carrier’s base to Las Vegas and begin establishing Allegiant Air as the low-cost powerhouse it is known as today, operating more than 550 routes with a fleet of 120 aircraft.
Undoubtedly, Gallagher is excited to return as the leader of the company which he founded over 20 years ago. However, the new CEO is not just excited about his new role but also the strong leadership team that he will be working with. In a statement regarding his resumption of the CEO role, Gallagher had the following words to share:
“We have built a management team headed by Greg Anderson, President, and many other talented and dedicated executives that is among the best in the industry. This team is well-positioned to lead the Company as we continue to set the standard for the U.S. leisure travel sector.”
Beyond an airline
While many may originally think of Allegiant as just a low-cost carrier, the Allegiant Travel Company is rapidly expanding its operations and assets in other leisure travel sectors. Upon returning to the company’s leading role, Gallagher has identified expansion in non-airline sectors to be of key importance.
Recently, the carrier has made a strong investment in the resort market with Sunseeker Resort, a facility in Charlotte Harbor, Florida, set to open by the end of this year. In a statement regarding the announcement of his new position, Gallagher called out the project and new members of its leadership team specifically, saying the following words:
“We’re excited about completing construction and opening Sunseeker Resort. Industry veteran Micah Richins and his experienced team will continue to lead Sunseeker, and we look forward to a successful opening and operation.”
Richins, a former resort executive, maintains a strong reputation within the industry, having led Vegas casinos such as MGM Grand, New York-New York, and the Luxor. Richins has been involved in all aspects of resort operation, including experience in revenue management, entertainment, and customer service. Richins and the other members of the Sunseeker leadership team maintain a combined 75 years of experience in resort management.