Southwest Airlines has announced its next chief executive officer.
The company’s current CEO, Gary Kelly, has announced plans to relinquish his title as CEO in early 2022.
When that happens, current Executive Vice President of Corporate Services Bob Jordan will take over as the carrier’s next CEO.
Jordan is a 33-year veteran of the company.
“Bob and I will work closely with our President Tom Nealon and our Chief Operating Officer Mike Van de Ven to begin developing transition plans in the coming months. We have a powerful Team to lead us forward into the next 50 years,” Kelly said in a statement.
That will take effect on Feb. 1, 2022, the company announced this week.
Kelly will remain with the company through the transition and serve as Southwest’s Executive Chairman through at least 2026.
Southwest has been rapidly expanding its Caribbean footprint in recent years, particularly out of Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport.