Southwest Airlines CEO Bob Jordan and executive chairman Gary Kelly would be long gone by now if one vocal activist investor had its way, one of the airline’s unions told members this week. “... Elliott advised that its preference would be for board chair Gary Kelly to exit his position sooner than the announced departure at next spring’s shareholder meeting,

A longtime Southwest Airlines company executive said Tuesday amid a board shakeup and changes to the carrier by an activist investor group that he will retire next year after nearly 40 years with Southwest.

Responding to pressure from Elliott Investment Management, Southwest Airlines said its chairman Gary Kelly will retire next year.

Executive Chairman Gary Kelly plans to retire as part of a shake-up of the airline’s board, under pressure from activist investor Elliott Management.

Southwest Airlines is changing its board of directors as the Dallas-based airline faces pressure from an activist investor and the need to be profitable for its shareholders. On Monday, Southwest announced its executive chairman Gary Kelly would not run for reelection in 2025 and six board members would resign after a quarterly board meeting in November.

Southwest Airlines on Tuesday announced an overhaul of its board of directors, including the planned departure of its executive chairman, Gary Kelly, after a meeting with a hedge fund that has called for sweeping changes at the company.