Spirit Airlines Announces Major Change Amid 'Shakeup'

Spirit Airlines has officially emerged from bankruptcy, and now, the company announced a new leader as they forge ahead in the airline business.

Spirit has appointed Dave Davis as its new chief executive officer, just a few weeks after the carrier came back from bankruptcy and reconstituted its board.

Davis "will be tasked with a business overhaul as Spirit works to move away from its no-frills image and rebrand itself as a premium airline, after years of mounting losses," according to a statement.

"I am thrilled to join Spirit at this critical time in the company's history," Davis said in a statement. "I look forward to working with the more than 11,000 Spirit Team Members to deliver value for our guests, shareholders and the communities that we serve."

The change happened a little over a week following Ted Christie stepping down from heading up Spirit "with immediate effect as part of a shakeup," according to Reuters.

Robert Milton, chairman of Spirit Airlines, adds that Davis "brings with him a wealth of experience and a solid track record of accomplishments from his many years in the airline industry."

Spirit has also announced that Trey Urbahn will take over as senior commercial advisor of Spirit to "support and help guide all aspects of Spirit's commercial efforts including network, pricing and yield management, as well as the airline's onboard configurations and offerings."

Spirit Airlines got its start back in 1964 as Clippert Trucking Company, according to Wichita State University. In the 1970s, the company changed its name to Ground Air Transfer, Inc., followed by Charter One and, in 1992, finally became Spirit Airlines, a name they still have today.

"Over the years, Spirit has operated as a low-cost and ultra low cost carrier in North, Central and South America, as well as the Caribbean," Wichita State University states. "In 2004, Spirit began its transition to an all-Airbus fleet which serves over 50 communities."

Related: Delta Air Lines Announces Change for Passengers Starting Soon