Gary Kelly has taken the helm at Southwest Airlines, following James Parker's immediate and unexpected resignation as vice- chairman and chief executive on 15 July. Kelly was formerly the US low-cost carrier's executive vice-president and chief financial officer. Parker, who cites "a combination of reasons" for his decision, notes that his three-year contract with Southwest had come to an end and that it was "a logical time to make a change, and that change is best made swiftly". The airline recently offered flight attendants an average pay increase of 31%.
Source: Flight International
