Delta Air Lines CEO Richard Anderson to Retire

Richard Anderson to retire from helm of Delta Air Lines in May, leaving current president as successor.

Richard H. Anderson, credited as one of the most creative yet outspoken airline executives in the United States, will step down from the chief executive office at Delta Air Lines this year. In a press release, the airline confirmed that the 60-year-old executive will retire on May 2, 2016, after a career in the airline industry that spanned nearly 30 years.

Anderson began his career with Continental Airlines in 1987, before beginning a 25-year career with Northwest Airlines. Moving through the ranks, Anderson ultimately became chief executive of the Minneapolis-based carrier prior to its merger with Delta in 2004. After spending three years outside of the airline industry, he ultimately rejoined Delta as their chief executive.

During his second tenure as an airline executive, Anderson is credited for many moves that grew Delta into a major international airline. Under his watch, the carrier grew to become the world’s largest airline by passengers in 2014 and only trailed in domestic passenger traffic to Southwest Airlines. In addition, Anderson led many different key investments, including purchasing an oil refinery in 2012 and a stake in Virgin Atlantic in 2013.

“His unique combination of strategic and operating skills, plus his commitment to employees, corporate culture, customers and shareholders has redefined Delta and led to an entirely new and better way of flying around the world,” Dan Carp, chairman of the Delta board, said in the press release. “The entire Board of Directors extends a hearty thanks for his service, his leadership and his thoughtful succession planning process.”

In recent times, Anderson was also noted for his outspoken nature on situations affecting the airline industry as a whole, including the Open Skies investigation. As a leader of the American legacy carriers, Anderson spoke out multiple times against the Middle East Three, calling them the “greatest challenge” to the overall industry in 2015. During his tenure, Delta also left Airlines for America, after the trade group said the airline was “not aligned” with their positions.

When Anderson steps down in May, he will be succeeded by current Delta president Ed Bastian. Bastian has worked with Delta since 1998, when he joined the company as vice president and controller. Joining him will be current executives Glen Hauenstein and Gil West as president and executive vice president, respectively.

“[Bastian] is an exceptional leader and has been an invaluable partner in leading the remarkable transformation of Delta over the last decade,” Anderson said of his successor in a press release. “I hold Ed, Glen and Gil in the highest esteem, both personally and professionally, and have every confidence that they will lead Delta to even higher levels of performance.”

Although Anderson is retiring, he will not be far from the industry. On the succession date, the former executive will be named the executive chairman of the Delta board of directors.

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[Photo: Getty Images]