Delta Air Lines announced Friday that Chief Operating Officer Michael Spanos will leave the company on August 31, just over a year after joining. Spanos is set to take a new position elsewhere, marking a sudden departure amid recent turbulence for the airline.

Spanos’s exit comes shortly after Delta faced a significant challenge from a global technology outage in July. The incident, caused by a faulty Microsoft Windows update and issues with CrowdStrike software, led to the cancellation of thousands of flights and cost the airline approximately $500 million. This situation attracted attention from the U.S. Department of Transportation, which has launched an investigation into Delta’s management of the crisis.

Before joining Delta in June 2023, Spanos had a notable career at PepsiCo and the Pepsi Bottling Group and served as CEO of Six Flags Entertainment. His tenure at Delta included overseeing operations as one of the three executive vice presidents.

Delta’s filing regarding Spanos’s departure did not specify reasons for his exit, but noted that he would receive severance benefits as per the company’s officer and director plan. Last year, Spanos received $8.6 million in compensation, largely from stock awards.

CEO Ed Bastian mentioned in an internal memo that Spanos had expressed interest in leaving the company earlier this summer, before the IT outage occurred. Delta’s stock saw a nearly 3% increase to $41.27 by Friday afternoon, reflecting a positive shift in the company’s financial outlook for the year.

By sanya

I’m a finance writer with  three years of experience in investment analysis. At Investorwelcome , I translate complex financial concepts into clear, actionable insights to help investors navigate the market with confidence. Combining my solid academic background with practical industry knowledge, I’m dedicated to providing readers with accurate and timely information. My goal is to empower both new and seasoned investors by simplifying intricate data and offering strategic advice. When I’m not writing, I stay engaged with market trends and investment innovations to ensure my content remains relevant and valuable.

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