Leadership Restructuring at Southwest Airlines: Doug Brooks Appointed as New Board Chair
Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE: LUV) announced on Thursday the appointment of Doug Brooks as the new independent Chair of the Board, effective from August 1, 2025. This pivotal change in leadership follows Rakesh Gangwal’s decision to step down from his role as Chair due to additional time commitments unrelated to Southwest operations. However, he will remain on the Board.
In addition to this, the airline also announced the formation of a new Fleet Oversight Committee to enhance the Board’s oversight of the company’s aircraft fleet acquisition strategy. Gangwal will serve as Chair of this newly formed committee while continuing his roles on the Finance Committee and the Nominating & Corporate Governance Committee.
This leadership transition comes at a time when Southwest continues to navigate challenging market conditions. The company recently reported lower quarterly profits and revenue despite signs that travel demand is stabilizing after a difficult start to 2025.
Source: World Airline News