Allegiant, Under FAA Scrutiny, Restructures Management

Allegiant Air restructured its management organization in the wake of the abrupt departure of chief operating officer Steve Harfst, who had served in the position for a year. 

Jude Bricker was named chief operating officer and will continue to serve in his current role as senior vice president of planning.  He will now also oversee flight operations, maintenance, and safety. 

Allegiant also expanded the role of chief financial officer Scott Sheldon. He will now oversee inflight and Operation Control Center in addition to his current responsibilities leading the finance, procurement, and customer operations areas.  

The moves come after the Federal Aviation Administration heightened its scrutiny of the carrier due to safety and maintenance issues. In May, the FAA proposed a $266,375 civil penalty against Allegiant for allegedly violating drug and alcohol testing regulations.  In December, the agency reprimanded Allegiant for having insufficient fuel for a flight from Las Vegas to Fargo, ND – an airport that was restricted at the time due to Blue Angels practice maneuvers. 

One Allegiant aircraft, an MD-88, made four emergency landings between October and December, all due to reports of smoke or fumes in the aircraft. The same aircraft made an emergency landing in August due to engine trouble.   

Pic: FRED