Delta Air Lines chief operating officer Mike Spanos is set to depart the company on Aug. 31, as reported in a U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filing. This news comes just over a year after Spanos assumed the role at Delta. According to a memo sent by Delta CEO Ed Bastian to employees, Spanos is leaving to pursue an opportunity at another company. The departure of Spanos follows a challenging period for Delta, particularly in July when the airline faced significant disruptions due to an IT outage.
The Wall Street Journal was the first to report on Spanos’ departure from Delta. Spanos’ tenure at Delta has been relatively short, and his decision to leave comes in the wake of the airline’s struggles to resume normal operations following the CrowdStrike IT outage in July. The outage led to the cancellation of approximately 7,000 flights over a five-day period, resulting in an estimated cost of $500 million for the carrier.
Despite Spanos’ departure, Delta does not currently have plans to fill his position. Instead, EVP and chief customer experience officer Allison Ausband and EVP and chief of operations and president of Delta TechOps John Laughter, who both reported to Spanos, will now report directly to Bastian. In his memo to employees, Bastian praised Spanos for his contributions to Delta, noting improvements in the airline’s performance and a reduction in injuries during his tenure.
Spanos joined Delta in June 2023, bringing with him a wealth of experience from his previous roles. Prior to joining Delta, Spanos served as president and CEO of Six Flags entertainment and held various positions at PepsiCo and the Pepsi Bottling Group over a span of more than 25 years. Despite not having a background in aviation before joining Delta, Spanos was able to make significant contributions to the airline during his time as chief operating officer.
Overall, Spanos’ departure from Delta marks the end of a relatively short but impactful tenure at the airline. His leadership and contributions to Delta’s operations will be remembered as the airline moves forward under new leadership. As Delta navigates the challenges of the aviation industry, the departure of Spanos serves as a reminder of the ever-changing landscape in which airlines operate.
