Southwest Airlines Shares Rise 0.72% on $420M Volume Now 346th in Market Liquidity During Leadership Transition

On July 31, 2025, Southwest Airlines (LUV) closed with a 0.72% gain, trading at $0.42 billion in volume, ranking 346th in market liquidity. The stock’s performance coincided with a major corporate governance update as Rakesh Gangwal stepped down as independent board chair to pursue unrelated commitments. Doug Brooks, a long-tenured director since 2010, was appointed to replace him, effective August 1. The transition marks a strategic leadership shift amid ongoing business model overhauls.

The board simultaneously established a new Ad Hoc Fleet Oversight Committee, chaired by Gangwal, to oversee aircraft acquisition strategies. This move underscores Southwest’s focus on fleet optimization as part of broader operational reforms. Gangwal praised the management team for driving “relentless determination” in transforming the company’s structure, while Brooks emphasized his commitment to advancing strategic priorities and financial performance. Brooks’ prior experience at Brinker International and AutoZone, where he oversaw significant shareholder returns, positions him to navigate the airline’s evolving challenges.

Southwest’s governance changes align with its 2024 milestone of transporting over 140 million passengers, maintaining its dominance in U.S. nonstop flights. The airline operates across 117 airports in 11 countries, leveraging its low-cost model and customer loyalty. With Brooks at the helm, the board aims to sustain momentum from recent operational restructuring while addressing long-term fleet planning and stakeholder value creation.

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