Sun Country CEO Proclaims Pilot Shortage ‘Over’

Jude Bricker says the airline isn’t struggling with retention and hasn’t had a pilot leave in months.

Zach Vasile

Monday, May 05, 2025 at 09:51 AM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Travis Tingle

A Sun Country Boeing 737-800 [Shutterstock | Natmac Stock]

Key Takeaways:

Sun Country's CEO declares the pilot shortage to be over, a sentiment supported by an industry-wide slowdown in pilot hiring as airlines meet goals and new aircraft deliveries are delayed.
The airline's flexible and diversified business model (scheduled, charter, and cargo services) allows it to maintain margins and navigate economic volatility by adjusting flight operations.
Sun Country reported positive financial performance in the first quarter, with increased revenue and net income compared to the previous year.

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Sun Country CEO Jude Bricker said there are several reasons to feel bullish about the Minneapolis-based low-cost carrier, but perhaps the most critical is that the pilot shortage—which seriously challenged the airline industry in the years since the COVID-19 pandemic, is now a thing of the past.

“We spent a lot of time talking about the pilot shortage,” Bricker said during Sun Country’s quarterly earnings call. “That’s over. A pilot hasn’t left Sun Country in, like, 90 days. So that’s just not an issue anymore.”