Captain Craig Drew appointed VP Flight Operations at Southwest Airlines

DALLAS, 2014-5-23 — /Travel PR News/ — Southwest Airlines announced this week that Captain Craig Drew has been named Vice President Flight Operations. In his new role, effective June 2, Drew will be responsible for the airline’s flight operations functions, which include 10 Pilot Bases nationwide, Crew Scheduling, and the Flight Training Center.

“Craig has a strong vision and energy for Leading Southwest’s Flight Operations into the future,” said Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Mike Van de Ven. “He knows the importance of Teamwork and developing outstanding People. I am looking forward to partnering with Craig in his new role.”

Additionally, after serving as Vice President Flight Operations for the past seven years, Captain Chuck Magill is taking on a new position at the carrier as Vice President Operational Coordination. In this role, Magill will work closely with Frontline Employees to ensure operational excellence across all departments.

Drew began his Southwest career in 1990 as a First Officer and was promoted to Captain in 1994. For the last seven years, he has served as the Chief Pilot of the Las Vegas Base. His accomplishments include graduating from Southwest’s Managers in Training Program, a course designed for high performers; serving as a Check Airman since 2007; and participating in the Company’s Adopt-A-Pilot Community Relations program for the last 12 years. Prior to joining Southwest, Drew served as the Director of Flight Standards at SkyWest Airlines and was an FAA Designated Examiner. Drew holds an Airline Transport Pilot Certificate with a type rating in the 737. Drew earned a Bachelor of Science from Brigham Young University and a Master of Science from California State University.

As Vice President Flight Operations, Drew will lead approximately 8,300 Flight Operations Employees, managing the hiring, training, safety, standardization, and administration of the carrier’s Pilots. He and his Team will work closely to continue developing and implementing policies and procedures to ensure safe and efficient flight operations at Southwest Airlines.

ABOUT SOUTHWEST AIRLINES CO.
In its 43rd year of service, Dallas-based Southwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV) continues to differentiate itself from other carriers with exemplary Customer Service delivered by more than 45,000 Employees to more than 100 million Customers annually. Based on the most recent data available from the U.S. Department of Transportation, Southwest is the nation’s largest carrier in terms of originating domestic passengers boarded.  The airline also operates the largest fleet of Boeing aircraft in the world to serve 96 destinations in 41 states, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and five near-international countries via wholly owned subsidiary, AirTran Airways. Southwest is one of the most honored airlines in the world, known for its triple bottom line approach that takes into account the carrier’s performance and productivity, the importance of its People and the communities it serves, and its commitment to efficiency and the planet. The 2013 Southwest Airlines One Report™ can be found at southwest.com/citizenship.

From its first flights on June 18, 1971, Southwest Airlines launched an era of unprecedented affordability in air travel described by the U.S. Department of Transportation as “The Southwest Effect,” a lowering of fares and increase in passenger traffic wherever the carrier serves. With Southwest Airlines, Bags Fly Free ® (first and second checked pieces of luggage, size and weight limits apply), and there are no change fees when you need to change your flight. Southwest’s fleet offers leather seating and the comfort of full-size cabins, a majority of which are equipped with satellite-based WiFi connectivity over the United States, which enables live and video-on-demand TV currently FREE compliments of DISH, and a new, sustainable cabin interior. Southwest acquired AirTran Airways in May 2011 and by the end of 2014 intends to complete the full integration of the AirTran network into Southwest. With 41 consecutive years of profitability, the People of Southwest and AirTran operate more than 3,600 flights a day. Southwest Airlines’ frequent flights and low fares are available online at southwest.com or by phone at 800-I-FLY-SWA.

Media Contact:

Media Relations Team: 214-792-4847
swamedia@wnco.com

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