Alaska Airlines’ CEO Brad Tilden will step down in March next year.
Tilden will stay on as chair of the board and will be replaced as chief executive by current President Ben Minicucci.
Tilden has spent three decades at the Seattle-based carrier and previously held the positions of CFO and President.
"Now is the time to position Alaska for future growth, and now is the time to move forward with this long-planned transition," Tilden said.
According to independent director Patricia Bedient, the transition is ‘the culmination of a multiyear succession planning process.’
"The board has complete confidence in Ben’s ability to lead Alaska to great success in the years to come," she said.
Minicucci had a similar pathway to the top job since joining the airline in 2004.
He held the positions of Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer.
Minicucci was also the CEO of Virgin America, leading its integration into Alaska Airlines Group after its acquisition.
Written by Ray Montgomery, US Editor
