Southwest Airlines’ senior vice president of labor relations, Randy Babbitt, has announced his retirement after 50 years in the commercial aviation industry. Babbitt joined Southwest in 2012 and has spent the last four years leading the carrier's Labor Relations Team.
"We wish Randy all the best in his retirement after a long and distinguished career in aviation," said Mike Van de Ven, Southwest Airlines Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. "We are grateful for his many contributions."
Babbitt began his aviation career with Eastern Air Lines in 1966, and he later worked with the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), spent time industry consulting and with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) before joining Southwest. Babbitt will work with his Team on an orderly transition of his responsibilities before his departure this fall.