Southwest Airlines on 4 November disclosed the appointment of Rakesh Gangwal as independent chair of the company's board of directors, filling the role left vacant by former executive chairman Gary Kelly.

DALLAS – Southwest Airlines has named Rakesh Gangwal as the independent chair of the board of directors. Gangwal, an airline executive and entrepreneur, has been a member of the Southwest Airlines board of directors since July 8. Previously, he served on the boards of US Airways Group, CarMax, Office Depot, OfficeMax and PetSmart.