LAS VEGAS, May 26, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Allegiant Travel Company (NASDAQ: ALGT) today announced that Jude Bricker has resigned his position as executive vice president and chief operating officer. Bricker has been with Allegiant since 2006 and through a variety of leadership roles has been a key architect of the company's growth and success.

"I'm honored to have been at the forefront of building the Allegiant model, which has provided millions of travelers an affordable, accessible means to vacation or visit loved ones, while at the same time bringing tremendous business success to the company," said Bricker. "Looking at what we've accomplished in eleven years is amazing, and I'm humbled and proud to have served with such a talented and hard-working team of professionals every step of the way. Though I've made a difficult decision to leave Allegiant, I see a company with a future as bright as it was when I first joined the team."

"Jude has been a tremendous leader and innovator for Allegiant," said John Redmond, Allegiant president. "His efforts were critical to achieving a contract for our pilots – the first collective bargaining agreement in company history – and to designing and implementing a fleet transition which will bring operational efficiencies and economic benefits across the organization."

"With Jude at the wheel of operations, we've seen network growth of over 200 incremental markets and world-leading profit margins," said Maurice J. Gallagher, Jr., Allegiant chairman and CEO. "We are deeply saddened to lose him, and wish him every success in his future endeavors."

Bricker will depart his position with Allegiant effective Friday, May 26, 2017. Scott Sheldon, executive vice president and chief financial officer, will act as interim chief operating officer until a successor is selected.