A Little bit of history

Sun Country Airlines had been around since 1983 operating as a charter airline service only. This company serviced a great menu of charter destinations from origins such as Minneapolis, Detroit, and Milwaukee (to name a few). It serviced destinations such as Cancun, Cozumel, & Zihuatinejo, Mexico, as well as Las Vegas, NV., and San Antonio, Tx., to name a few. Over the years, travelers became familiar with the Sun Country Airline brand name.

In 1999, Sun Country Airlines became a scheduled airline carrier. It decided its hub to be in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and competed head on with Northwest Airlines. (Northwest was the one and only carrier of the Minneapolis hub to anywhere at this time). Sun Country boasted lower fares to certain destinations and gave a lot of coupons out for "buy one get one free", etc., in its new promotional time.


Minneapolis, Minnesota, welcomes Sun Country Airlines with open arms

When Sun Country announced to be a scheduled airline, the residents of the state of Minnesota were very happy. Many would drive 3-4 hours from the outskirts to the New Hubert Humphrey Charter Terminal located in Minneapolis to get a $200.00-$400.00 round trip airfare. The kind of rate they could get inside one weeks notice. The competitor at the time (Northwest), (and still in business), had rates of $800.00 and up for inside one weeks notice at the time.

In its hey dey, Sun Country was all over the place when it became a scheduled airline. Going to destinations such as Alaska, New York, California, Texas, Florida, Nevada, and the Carribbean, for example. It almost came close to the way "Southwest Airlines" people feel. That is, "You are free to travel about the country". People of Minnesota started to believe this.


Sun Country's Downfall

All of a sudden, things started to spiral down since Sept. 11, 2001. First, California, New York, and Massachusetts were dropped. Then, a couple of weeks later, Detroit, Milwaukee, and Arizona. Then all of a sudden, the rest! This included Florida, Mexico, Caribbean, and Texas. This all happend from Sept-Nov, 2001. What really happend? Was it due to Sept. 11 alone, or combined with management?

Now, if you check out WWW.Suncountryairlines.com, you will see information about refunds, and/or, re-acommidation efforts.


The Future of Sun Country Airlines

Sun Country Airlines still has hopes. The airline has been looking for buyers and/or investors since November of 2001. I don't think it looks very good though.

The airline staff of once 1,200 employees, is now down to 7.

The airline still has not filed bankruptsy.

The airline still has its license.


For any other information on the airline

Visit WWW.Startribune.com - This is the main Minneapolis Newspaper that has the latest information on the status of this airline. You will have to put in the search area, "Sun Country". You will be very surprised with the articles you see there on this airline! Lots of politics involved.


Thanks for reading. :)

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