Allegiant Travel Company has announced that Chief Operating Officer Keny F. Wilper will resign from his position effective immediately. He will continue to serve as an advisor while the company undertakes the process of finding his successor. Tyler Hollingsworth, who is currently the Senior Vice President of Flight Operations, will assume the role of interim COO.
Mr. Wilper has enjoyed a distinguished 23-year tenure with Allegiant, during which he has occupied several significant operational positions. After joining the company in 2002, he played a pivotal role in transforming Allegiant into an ultra-low-cost carrier. Notably, Mr. Wilper was instrumental in the creation of the airline’s inaugural ancillary inflight and baggage programs, which have become fundamental to Allegiant’s business strategy. Over the course of his career, he has held essential leadership positions that have greatly enhanced the company’s operational capabilities and financial success.
“Keny has been instrumental in our company’s success,” said Gregory C. Anderson, President and Chief Executive Officer of Allegiant. “As COO, his leadership and collaborative approach greatly improved our operations. His legacy includes the strong team he has helped develop. I speak on behalf of Team Allegiant in thanking Keny for his many years of service and contributions.”
Mr. Wilper said he is grateful to his colleagues and the entire Allegiant team.
“The decision to step down from my role as COO was not made lightly, but I need to take time away to focus on my family, who have faced some significant challenges,” Mr. Wilper said. “It has been a tremendous privilege to be part of this company. When I first joined Allegiant, I had high hopes that we would become a successful airline. We have far surpassed my dreams, becoming not just an airline but a driving force in leisure travel. I’ve had the pleasure of working alongside the most passionate, dedicated, and hard-working team members in the industry. I am proud of all we have accomplished together and confident in the bright future that lies ahead for Allegiant. I look forward to continuing my work for Allegiant in a different capacity, confident that the operation is in good hands with a skilled and talented leadership team.”
Mr. Hollingsworth has been a member of the company since 2010. After serving as a line pilot for four years, he took on the position of Vice President of Safety and Security. In this capacity, he guided a team through the consolidation of the Safety and Security departments at Allegiant, introducing a transformative approach to safety system design. His strategic vision resulted in Allegiant adopting an integrated data management framework, which enhanced oversight and hazard identification initiatives. Furthermore, his contributions during the COVID-19 pandemic were pivotal, leading to the airline being honored by Airline Ratings as a “Seven-Star airline for safety and COVID-19 protection.”
Following his achievements in Safety and Security, Mr. Hollingsworth advanced to the role of Senior Vice President of Flight Operations. He currently manages the airline’s Operation Control Center, Flight Operations, and Inflight Operations, overseeing more than half of the company’s 6,100 employees.
Mr. Hollingsworth earned a Bachelor of Science degree in aeronautics, aviation, and aerospace science and technology from Everglades University.
“Tyler’s extensive experience, dedication and outstanding leadership provides us conviction that we will maintain our momentum and continue to enhance our strong operations. He has shown an exceptional ability to unite teams in navigating challenges and making well-considered decisions. These attributes make him the right choice for the role of interim COO.” Mr. Anderson said.