Summary
- Sun Country Airlines extended partnership with Amazon until 2037, growing fleet of aircraft to 20.
- Revenue hit all-time high of $894 million in 2022, thanks to strong execution of cargo services.
- The airline, once a full-service carrier, now operates as a low-cost leisure service, serving 81 destinations.
On June 20th, Sun Country Airlines and Amazon signed an Amended and Restated Air Transport Services Agreement, extending the contract till 2030 and increasing the number of aircraft the airline will operate for the e-commerce giant next year.
New agreement
The new agreement between the two entities sees the lucrative partnership extending for another six years until 2030, with the option to extend for seven years until 2037.
Photo: Ian Dewar Photography | Shutterstock
In addition, the airline is increasing the number of Boeing 737-800 freighters by eight aircraft. As a result, the aircraft operated as part of the deal will grow from 12 to 20 freighters, with the first aircraft expected to begin service early next year. All eight additional aircraft are expected to be operational by the third quarter of next year.
Jude Bricker, Sun Country Airlines’ Chief Executive Officer, had this to say about the new agreement in a press release:
“Amazon is an extremely important customer to Sun Country and strong execution on our current cargo services positioned us well to grow our business. We look forward to continuing to provide services to Amazon into the 2030s.”
Amazon Prime Air is one of the airline’s largest customers and one of its most profitable ventures. Therefore, signing this partnership extension with the company is a big win for the airline.
In 2022, two years after the initial partnership with the e-commerce giant, the airline recorded an all-time-high revenue of $894 million, a 27% increase over pre-pandemic levels.
Amazon Air is also a minority shareholder in the airline. The deal especially helps the leisure-focused airline maintain traffic levels during the off-season.
About Sun Country Airlines
Sun Country Airlines markets itself as a “new breed of hybrid low-cost carrier.” The company aims to connect guests to their favorite people and places. In addition, the airline provides both charter and cargo services to various customers, including Amazon.
Photo: Markus Mainka | Shutterstock
According to Planespotters.net, the airline operates a fleet of 53 Boeing 737-800s, including the 12 aircraft operated by Amazon Prime Air. The 12 aircraft were leased and delivered between July and November 2020. As part of the agreement, the fleet will increase to 61.
The airline is based at the Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport (MSP) and began operations 41 years ago. As of 2024, the airline services 81 passenger destinations throughout the US, Canada, Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean. The airline operates its passenger service as a low-budget leisure service, and as a result, many of its destinations are seasonal.
The airline also provides charter services for the US Armed Forces and the college football teams in the US. Other operations include charter services for casinos and Major League Soccer, for which it has been the official carrier since 2022.
Sun Country wasn’t always a budget carrier. Before its acquisition by Apollo Global Management in 2017, the airline operated as a full-service airline and offered first class products. However, the new management changed the business model, which has proven successful. The airline became a publicly traded company in 2021.
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