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Southwest states Chairman Gary Kelly to retire next year, board backs CEO Jordan

Southwest Airlines said on Tuesday its Chairman Gary Kelly would retire right away after the business's 2025 yearly meeting, while the U.S. budget carrier reiterated its support for CEO Bob Jordan.

The airline's board likewise means to appoint four brand-new directors, which would potentially include candidates proposed by Elliott Investment Management in near term.

Elliott has been pushing to revamp the airline company's board and oust top executives to assist improve the provider's performance. Jordan said in June Southwest has a great plan, which management would execute, and that he had no plans to resign.

Southwest Airlines has struggled to remain rewarding since the COVID-19 pandemic and taken steps to facilitate a. turnaround, including adding seats with more leg room and. dropping its marquee open seating system to move to assigned. seats.

It has also been hit hard by Boeing's jet delivery. hold-ups and is reeling from elevated business expenses,. consisting of high labor and airplane upkeep costs.

6 current directors on Southwest's board likewise conveyed. their objective to step down after the airline company's scheduled board. meeting in November.

Last month, Elliott chose 10 director prospects to. Southwest's 15-person board consisting of previous Virgin America CEO. David Cush and Robert Milton, the previous CEO of Air Canada .

The airline stated on Tuesday it plans to continue its. useful engagement with Elliott towards a collaborative. resolution in the near term.

Elliott did not instantly respond to a Reuters request for. remark.

(source: Reuters)