Delta Air Lines operations chief leaves company after CrowdStrike collapse

Mike Spanos, chief operating officer of Delta Air Lines Inc., is leaving the company after just over a year in the role, the company said in a statement on Friday.

According to a memo from CEO Ed Bastian, the airline currently has no plans to replace Spanos. Instead, two other executives will now report directly to the CEO: John Laughter, chief operating officer, and Allison Ausband, who heads the customer experience department.

Delta said the COO is leaving on Aug. 31, and Bastian’s memo said Spanos plans to take a job at another company. Spanos had mentioned his potential interest in leaving Delta “earlier this summer,” Bastian said.

The decision came about a month after Delta canceled thousands of flights due to a technical failure, costing the company an estimated $500 million.

Delta shares rose 1.2% to $40.63 at 10:23 a.m. in New York. The stock has risen about 1% so far this year.

Prior to joining the airline in June 2023, Spanos served as president and CEO of Six Flags Entertainment Corp. and held various leadership positions at PepsiCo Inc.

The Wall Street Journal reported on the COO’s departure on Friday.

Allyson Versprille for Bloomberg

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