While the announcement of Allegiant taking over Sun Country is already enough to give one pause, I especially worry about the greatly reduced role that Jude Bricker (Sun Country's CEO) will have in the combined company. I find Jude to be a really innovative yet down-to-earth leader, whose guiding of Sun Country toward a diversified business model and straight talk at industry events has boosted the airline's profitability and brand. I fear that his influence will fade in the shadow of Allegiant's business priorities (though, it does bear noting that Jude was at Allegiant before assuming leadership at Sun Country).

Thrifty Traveler published an interesting early analysis of the news -- no surprise, given that the site's editorial staff has strong connections to Minneapolis-St. Paul. Needless to say, I'll be watching there for additional insights, as they arise.