A Southwest Airlines plane takes off from Hollywood Burbank Airport above other Southwest planes on July 25, 2024 in Burbank, California. Southwest Airlines said Tuesday that executive chairman and former CEO Gary Kelly will retire next year and announced a board shakeup, moves that come as the carrier faces pressure for changes by activist investor Elliott Investment Management. Elliott in June revealed a nearly $2 billion stake in Southwest, seeking to oust leadership, including CEO Bob Jordan, who has also spent nearly four decades at the carrier. Southwest has also brought in outside experts, including Bob Fornaro, former CEO of Spirit Airlines and AirTran, which Southwest acquired. Southwest has an investor day scheduled for Sept. 26 in Dallas to expand on these and other initiatives.

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Persons: Gary Kelly, Kelly, Herb Kelleher, Elliott, Bob Jordan, Bob Fornaro Organizations: Southwest Airlines, Elliott Investment Management, Southwest, Dallas, Texas, Spirit Airlines, Boeing, U.S Locations: Hollywood, Burbank , California, Southwest, Dallas