In a recent announcement, Delta Air Lines revealed that its Chief Operating Officer (COO), Mike Spanos, will be leaving the company at the end of August to pursue a new opportunity. The news comes just weeks after Delta faced extensive flight cancellations due to a major technology outage that impacted airlines worldwide.

According to a memo sent by Delta CEO Ed Bastian and viewed by TPG, Spanos had already expressed his intentions to explore other opportunities earlier this summer. While the departure coincides with the recent technology meltdown, a Delta spokesperson clarified that Spanos had initiated discussions about leaving prior to the incident.

Spanos, who has been in the position since 2023, did not have prior experience in the aviation industry. Despite being the COO, he was not directly responsible for leading Delta's response to the technological challenges the airline faced.

The departure of Spanos will not result in a replacement, as stated by Bastian in the memo. Instead, two senior leaders who previously reported to Spanos, John Laughter and Allison Ausband, will now report directly to the CEO. Laughter oversees various operational areas like flights, maintenance, and pilot staffing, while Ausband is responsible for the customer experience.

Regarding Spanos' departure, Delta also filed a document with the Securities and Exchange Commission indicating that he will receive benefits under the airline's severance plan for officers and directors.

The recent technology outage resulted in Delta canceling over 7,000 flights, causing significant inconvenience for passengers and impacting other airlines such as American Airlines and United Airlines. Delta faced particular challenges in recovering from the incident, as it relied heavily on the affected system, CrowdStrike, which was more integrated into its internal systems and processes than with its competitors.

With no immediate replacement planned for the COO position, Delta Air Lines focuses on streamlining its leadership structure, ensuring smooth operations, and providing a seamless customer experience in the aftermath of the recent technology setback.

Disclaimer: This article contains information based on the memo sent by Delta Air Lines CEO Ed Bastian and other sources mentioned. The opinions and analysis provided are solely those of our editorial team.