After earning profits of $ 9.7 million for the fiscal year ending June 30 , 1991 , the airline acquired additional Boeing 727 and DC-10 aircraft . In the mid 1990s , Mark Travel Group , led by Bill LaMacchia , Jr. , acquired Sun Country and began changing the focus of the airline . As the DC-10 aircraft aged and required expensive maintenance , the airline gradually reduced the fleet , ultimately retiring the final DC-10 in early 2001 . In June 1999 , the management of Sun Country launched a transformation from a charter carrier into a scheduled airline . New service from Minneapolis and Milwaukee began to destinations including Los Angeles , Seattle , Detroit , Washington , D.C. and Phoenix . The airline also started a frequent flyer program , Smile Awards . In 2001 , Sun Country began to replace its entire fleet with Boeing 737 aircraft . As Sun Country reinvented itself , heavy competition from local incumbent carrier Northwest Airlines and the September 11 attacks caused a sharp decrease of traffic and revenue . The airline was losing large amounts of money by the summer of 2001 . After fighting to stay operational by cutting flights , destinations and planes , the company closed on December 8 , 2001
September 11 attacks
September 11 attacks
Sun Country Airlines