AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin, FileFormer Southwest Airlines exec Bob Jordan took the helm as new CEO this week, replacing Gary Kelly.Experts said rising costs, labor supply issues, and workplace culture are key areas for Jordan.for the airline industry, Southwest Airlines' new CEO, Bob Jordan, is hoping to pilot the company into smoother skies.
Like its competitors, Southwest Airlines is left to recoup after a difficult pandemic season. Its stock is down approximately 17% compared to five years ago. Insider asked airline industry veterans and analysts where Jordan should invest the most energy in his first 100 days. "Bob shouldn't do anything dramatic nor will he, because Southwest is a good, fine, operating machine. It runs effectively very well,"
, a veteran airline executive with over 50 years of crisis management in the industry, told Insider. The pandemic hit the airline industry hard. Many flight attendants, pilots, and staff were concerned about contracting COVID-19 or were exhausted from dealing with unruly passengers who refused to wear face masks, perJordan will have to address this need for workers head-on, analysts said.