The Board of Directors of Dallas-based Southwest Airlines Co. has appointed Indian-American businessman Rakesh Gangwal as a member of its board, effective July 7.
Gangwal, who is the co-founder of InterGlobe Aviation, known as IndiGo, India's largest airline by fleet size and passengers carried brings extensive airline industry experience to the board.
Before co-founding IndiGo in 2006, Gangwal served as chairman, president, and chief executive officer of Worldspan Technologies, a provider of technology and information services to the travel and transportation industry.
Prior to his tenure at Worldspan, he was the president and CEO of US Airways Group and earlier served as its chief operating officer. Gangwal also held executive roles at Air France and United Airlines.
"I have long admired Southwest Airlines and am honored to join the Board," said Gangwal. "Together with the rest of the Board, I look forward to supporting the Company's strategic direction and building on its well-earned reputation as one of the world's most admired and respected airlines."
In addition to his role on the board of InterGlobe Aviation, Gangwal has served on several other public company boards, including US Airways Group, CarMax, Office Depot, OfficeMax, and PetSmart. Gangwal earned a Bachelor of Technology degree from the Indian Institute of Technology and a Master of Business Administration from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.
"I am delighted to welcome Rakesh, who brings to our Board decades of valuable experience as an executive and entrepreneur at some of the world's leading airlines," said Gary Kelly, Executive Chairman of the board. "Having co-founded IndiGo and grown it into India's largest airline, Rakesh knows the importance of building a business that has both a distinct culture and enduring profitability."
Southwest Airlines Co. operates one of the world's most awarded airlines, providing unique value and hospitality at 121 airports across 11 countries.
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