US low-cost carrier and Amazon freighter operator Sun Country Airlines has been acquired by Las Vegas-based travel company Allegiant, which owns Allegiant Air.

Each airline will operate separately until the airline operations obtain a single operating certificate from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), said Allegiant in a press release.

The company has indicated that Sun Country’s contract with Amazon to operate 20 Boeing 737-800 freighters will continue.

“Sun Country remains a major narrow-body freighter operator in the U.S., with its multi-year agreement with Amazon Prime Air,” said Allegiant.

The acquisition will enable the companies to create an adaptable and resilient airline model with the ability to respond quickly to charter and cargo partner needs, added Allegiant.

Jude Bricker, Sun Country president and chief executive, said: “Over Sun Country’s 43-year history, we have grown to become one of the nation’s most respected low-cost, leisure airlines with a unique business model for serving scheduled service and charter passengers as well as delivering cargo, with a strong brand and deep roots in Minnesota.”

He added: “Importantly, we believe this transaction delivers significant value to Sun Country shareholders and an opportunity to continue to benefit from our growth plans as a combined company.”

Hubbed at Minneapolis–St. Paul International Airport (MSP), Sun Country operates domestic routes across the US as part of Amazon’s logistics network. It also operates scheduled passenger flights to a wide network of destinations across North America.

Sun Country first started operating aircraft for Amazon in May 2020 after the two companies struck a 10-aircraft sublease deal,which was later extended.

In November 2025, Sun Country said it had deployed its full fleet of 20 freighter aircraft for Amazon and improved its cargo revenue by 50% year on year.

Despite the increase in cargo revenue as a result of business with Amazon, Bricker and president and chief financial officer Dave Davis said in February 2025 that taking on more business with Amazon would be an unlikely move in the next few years.

Allegiant Air flies scheduled and charter airline operations throughout the US. The company is also authorised to operate charter flights to Canada and Mexico.

Allegiant will acquire Sun Country in a cash and stock transaction at an implied value of $18.89 per Sun Country share. 

Upon closing, Allegiant and Sun Country shareholders will own approximately 67% and 33%, respectively, of the combined company on a fully diluted basis.

Allegiant chief executive Gregory Anderson will serve as chief executive of the combined company, and Robert Neal will serve as president and chief financial officer. Sun Country president and chief executive Jude Bricker will join the board of directors.