Spirit Aviation Holdings, Inc., the parent company of Spirit Airlines, LLC, announced significant leadership changes to steer the airline into its next chapter.
Effective April 21, 2025, Dave Davis will assume the role of President, Chief Executive Officer, and Board member.
Davis brings extensive experience from his tenure as President and Chief Financial Officer at Sun Country Airlines, as well as his time at Northwest Airlines.
His appointment signals Spirit’s commitment to strengthening its position following its emergence from Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Former CEO Ted Christie recently stepped down on 7 April, after 13 years with the company.
Davis Davis Appointed CEO
“We are thrilled to have Dave lead Spirit as our new President and CEO,” said Robert Milton, Chairman of Spirit Airlines. “His proven track record and deep industry knowledge make him the ideal leader to guide Spirit’s ongoing transformation.”
Davis’s experience at Sun Country Airlines, where he also served on the Board, equips him to navigate the challenges and opportunities ahead.
Davis expressed enthusiasm about joining Spirit at a pivotal moment. “I’m excited to work with Spirit’s 11,000 team members to deliver exceptional value to our guests, shareholders, and communities,” he said.
His leadership will focus on enhancing the airline’s operations and guest experience while driving financial growth.
Further Leadership Appointments
In addition to Dave Davis, Spirit welcomes Duncan Dee as Senior Vice President of Corporate Communications. Dee, a seasoned airline industry veteran, will oversee all internal and external communications.
Previously, he served as Chief Operating Officer at Air Canada and has been a frequent airline analyst on major Canadian media outlets like CBC, CTV, and Global News. His expertise will strengthen Spirit’s brand and stakeholder engagement.
Spirit also appointed Trey Urbahn as Senior Commercial Advisor. Urbahn’s role will involve guiding the airline’s commercial strategy, including network planning, pricing, yield management, and onboard offerings.
With a career spanning five airlines—Etihad, Breeze, Azul, TAP Air Portugal, and JetBlue—across four continents, Urbahn brings a global perspective to Spirit’s commercial efforts.
“These new leaders enhance our talented executive team as we advance Spirit’s transformation,” Milton added. “We also extend our gratitude to our frontline team members, whose dedication to safety and guest satisfaction remains unwavering.”
The new appointees join a robust leadership group, including:
- John Bendoraitis, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer
- Fred Cromer, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
- Thomas C. Canfield, Senior Vice President, General Counsel, and Secretary
- Rana Ghosh, Senior Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer
- Linde Grindle, Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer
- Rocky B. Wiggins, Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer
Together, this experienced team will develop and execute a strategic plan to propel Spirit forward. The airline now aims to enhance its competitive edge, improve guest experiences, and deliver value to shareholders.
As Spirit Airlines embarks on this transformative journey, the new leadership team headed by CEO Dave Davis is expected to bring fresh perspectives and bold strategies.
Following its recent emergence from Chapter 11 bankruptcy, the airline remains committed to its low-cost operating model. The skies that Spirit’s yellow birds now fly are turbulent, with economic and consumer uncertainty playing into the mix.
Spirit’s progress over the coming year will be watched with great interest.
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