Airlines Struggle with Increasing Jet Fuel Prices and Extended Security Wait Times, Leading to Declining Stock Values.

Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst

Source: Barron's

Updated: Mar 09 2026

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SNCY+4.41%

JBLU+7.52%

ALGT+6.18%

Should l Buy SNCY?

Source: Barron's

Impact of Fuel Costs: Major U.S. airlines are facing increased jet fuel costs due to recent geopolitical tensions.
Travel Disruptions: The ongoing conflict involving the U.S. and Israel's actions against Iran is causing travel disruptions, affecting airline operations.
Stock Market Effects: These challenges are negatively impacting the stock performance of major airlines.
Overall Industry Strain: The combination of higher costs and operational disruptions is creating significant strain on the airline industry.

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Analyst Views on SNCY

Wall Street analysts forecast SNCY stock price to rise

7 Analyst Rating

5 Buy

2 Hold

0 Sell

Moderate Buy

Current: 15.870

Low

18.00

Averages

19.43

High

21.00

Current: 15.870

Low

18.00

Averages

19.43

High

21.00

Citi

Neutral

maintain

$18 -> $20

2026-03-20

Reason

Citi

Price Target

$18 -> $20

AI Analysis

2026-03-20

maintain

Neutral

Reason

Citi raised the firm's price target on Sun Country Airlines to $20 from $18 and keeps a Neutral rating on the shares. The firm, which is updating estimates for higher fuel prices, sees downside risk to Q1, Q2 and 2026 estimates at nearly all airlines in its coverage. However, the analyst adds that "downside to estimates does not necessitate downside to stocks across the board" as it argues that the fuel shock is likely to keep driving a "fuel wedge" that drives meaningful relative outperformance at some airlines.

TD Cowen

Hold

maintain

$18 -> $22

2026-02-10

Reason

TD Cowen

Price Target

$18 -> $22

2026-02-10

maintain

Hold

Reason

TD Cowen raised the firm's price target on Sun Country Airlines to $22 from $18 and keeps a Hold rating on the shares. The firm updated its model following Q4 results.

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About SNCY

Sun Country Airlines Holdings, Inc. operates Sun Country Airlines, a hybrid low-cost air carrier that deploys shared resources across its scheduled service, charter, and cargo businesses. The Company focuses on serving leisure and visiting friends and relatives (VFR) passengers, charter customers, and providing crew, maintenance, and insurance (CMI) service to Amazon.com Services, LLC (Amazon), with flights throughout the United States and to destinations in Canada, Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean. Its Passenger segment consists of two businesses: Scheduled Service and Charter. These businesses both utilize the Company's passenger fleet. Its Cargo segment provides air cargo services. It flies a single-family fleet of mid-life Boeing 737-NG aircraft. Its fleet consists of about 63 Boeing 737-NG aircraft. This includes 45 aircraft in the passenger fleet, 12 cargo operated aircraft through the A&R ATSA with Amazon, and six aircraft that are on lease to unaffiliated airlines.

About the author

Emily J. Thompson

Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.

Investor Rights Law Firm Investigates Merger Transactions

2 hours agoPRnewswire

Merger Investigation: Halper Sadeh LLC is investigating the merger between Allegiant Travel Company and Sun Country Airlines, with Allegiant shareholders expected to own approximately 67% of the combined entity upon completion, which may impact shareholder rights and future earnings.
Shareholder Rights Protection: The law firm encourages shareholders of both Allegiant and Sun Country to reach out to discuss their rights and options, indicating a commitment to safeguarding investor interests that could lead to a reassessment of transaction terms.
Cash Transaction Details: Sun Country Airlines is being sold to Allegiant for 0.1557 shares of Allegiant common stock and $4.10 in cash per share, a structure that could significantly affect shareholders' financial interests, especially amid market volatility.
Legal Fee Arrangement: Halper Sadeh LLC offers legal services on a contingency fee basis, meaning shareholders will not incur upfront legal costs when pursuing their rights, a model that may attract more affected investors seeking legal assistance.

Allegiant and Sun Country Airlines Merger Receives Antitrust Clearance

Mar 20 2026Yahoo Finance

Merger Progress: On March 16, Allegiant and Sun Country Airlines announced the early termination of the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act, indicating that they have received antitrust clearance from the U.S. Department of Justice, advancing the merger process significantly.
Transaction Conditions: Although antitrust clearance has been secured, the transaction remains subject to several customary closing conditions, including approval from the U.S. Department of Transportation for an interim exemption application and formal approval from the shareholders of both airlines, with expectations to close in Q2 or Q3 2026.
Market Impact: The merger will enable the two leisure-focused carriers to combine operations and expand service offerings, providing more options for passengers and enhancing customer experience while driving long-term value creation for shareholders.
Leadership Confidence: Leadership from Allegiant expressed strong confidence in the synergies created by the merger, believing that this initiative will deliver significant benefits to customers, employees, and the communities served, further solidifying their competitive position in the aviation market.

Allegiant and Sun Country Secure Antitrust Clearance for Merger

Mar 16 2026PRnewswire

Antitrust Approval: Allegiant and Sun Country announced the early termination of the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act, receiving U.S. antitrust clearance from the Department of Justice, which paves the way for the merger expected to close in Q2 or Q3 of 2026.
Merger Benefits: Allegiant CEO Greg Anderson stated that the merger will deliver significant benefits for customers, team members, and the communities served, enhancing the competitive position of both airlines in the leisure market by offering a broader network and more travel options.
Market Positioning: Since 1999, Allegiant has focused on connecting small to medium cities with world-class vacation destinations through nonstop flights and industry-low average fares, and the merger is expected to further enhance its market share and customer base.
Shareholder Value Enhancement: The combination aims to create a stronger leisure-focused airline, which is anticipated to generate long-term value for shareholders, thereby solidifying its position in the airline industry.