Alaska Air Group CEO Bill Ayer announces retirement

Alaska Air Group (AAG) has announced that chairman and CEO Bill Ayer will retire from his chief executive role, effective May 15, and Alaska Airlines (AS) president Brad Tilden will become CEO of AAG. Tilden will remain president of AS and Ayer will continue to serve as chairman of AAG's board.

Ayer said in a statement, "The time is right to implement a succession plan that's been in the works for several years and which the board and I believe will ensure that we continue to lead the industry in safety, customer service, operational and financial performance and technological innovation."

Ayer has spent three decades at AAG, including 10 years as CEO. Tilden joined AS in 1991 and was named the Air Group's CFO in 2000 and president of AS in 2008.

(Linda Blachly - ATWOnline News)