Sean Menke, who guided Frontier Airlines through bankruptcy in 2008, will step down June 1 as chief executive of Pinnacle Airlines Corp.
Menke joined the regional airline a year ago. He and Pinnacle chief operating officer John Spanjers, who will succeed Menke as Pinnacle chief, have been criticized for taking large salary increases as concessions were sought from employees, suppliers and others as part of Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection filed in March.
A Pinnacle news release said the transition will not affect the bankruptcy proceedings or the airline’s ability to restructure and emerge from Chapter 11.
Ted Christie, who served as Frontier’s chief financial officer during its bankruptcy, left Pinnacle a month ago for a position with Spirit Airlines.
