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Southwest Airlines adds market veteran Gangwal to board in the middle of pressure from Elliott

Southwest Airlines has selected aviation market veteran Rakesh Gangwal to its board of directors, it stated on Monday, as increasing pressure from activist financier Elliott presses the U.S. budget plan provider to take defensive steps.

Gangwal-- who co-founded InterGlobe Aviation, the operator of India's largest airline IndiGo-- has actually also served on the boards of US Airways Group, CarMax and Workplace Depot, to name a few.

Rakesh's proficiency in travel technology will be valuable as we continue to make investments that support our operations and tactical initiatives, stated Gary Kelly, executive chairman of Southwest's board.

Elliott, known for pushing for a change to increase shareholder returns, had called for a reconstitution of Southwest's board with brand-new, really independent directors having know-how in airlines, customer experience and technology.

The activist financier had actually also required a management change mentioning Southwest's frustrating monetary outcomes.

Last week, Southwest adopted a toxin tablet technique, utilized by business boards to prevent hostile takeover bids, to prevent Elliott Financial investment Management from raising its stake in the provider.

Elliott presently owns an 11% stake in the business.

(source: Reuters)