Bethune Set To Retire | Aero-News Network
Aero-News Network
RSS icon RSS feed
podcast icon MP3 podcast
Subscribe Aero-News e-mail Newsletter Subscribe

Airborne Unlimited -- Most Recent Daily Episodes

Episode Date

Airborne-Monday

Airborne-Tuesday

Airborne-Wednesday Airborne-Thursday

Airborne-Friday

Airborne On YouTube

Airborne-Unlimited-06.02.25

Airborne-NextGen-06.03.25

AirborneUnlimited-06.04.25

Airborne-AffordableFlyers-06.05.25

AirborneUnlimited-06.06.25

Sat, Jan 17, 2004

Bethune Set To Retire

Goodbye, Gordon

Well, it's not quite goodbye just yet. But Continental Airlines CEO Gordon Bethune, widely credited with bringing the airline back from the brink of financial ruin, will retire at the end of the year. Continental says he'll be replaced by the airline's current president, Larry Kellner.

When Bethune joined Continental ten years ago (as of next month), the airline was staggering out of its second bankruptcy in a decade. In a few short years, Continental rose in all standings, from customer service to on-time performance.

"He has focused on the basics of being an airline," said airline analyst Michael Boyd, in an interview with the Houston Chronicle. "The airplanes are clean, the airplanes are on time, and you can see it."

But the 62-year old CEO has seen his share of controversy. Like fellow airline CEOs Donald Carty and Leo Mullin, Bethune got a whopping compensation package last year, even though -- like the others -- his airline was still reeling from the 9/11 disaster.

But Bethune has always tried to project the image of a straight-shooter. "You have got to tell everybody the truth," he said last month. "You get a lot more respect."

The Chronicle quotes Jay Panarello, the master executive chairman for Continental's pilots as saying he hopes Bethune will avail himself of the chance to leave behind a legacy of happy worker relations when he retires. After a month off, contract talks between the airline and its pilots get underway again this month. Panarello hopes they're wrapped up before Bethune retires in December.

FMI: www.continental.com

Advertisement

More News

Citation Operators Get Another Flight Data Connection for QA

LinxUs System Adds Capabilities for Data-Driven Operators Textron Aviation announced another option for operators processing their post-flight data, adding interoperability with GE>[...]

ANN's Daily Aero-Linx (06.01.25)

Aero Linx: The de Havilland Moth Club Ltd The de Havilland Moth Club evolved from a belief that an association of owners and operators of Moth aeroplanes should be formed to create>[...]

NTSB Final Report: Bellanca 8GCBC

(Pilot) Inadvertently Applied Excessive Braking Action, And The Airplane Nosed Over Analysis: The pilot reported that, while landing at a remote, rough and uneven airstrip in a tai>[...]

Aero-News: Quote of the Day (06.01.25)

“MCADT is committed to rapidly integrating armed first-person view drones into the FMF, enhancing small-unit lethality and providing organic capabilities that warfighters cur>[...]

Classic Aero-TV: High-Speed Match-up - Venom and GE Rebirth A Legend

From 2017 (YouTube Edition): Major Engine Supplier Joins Forces With Small Aircraft Manufacturer… GE recently made an agreement with Venom Aircraft to supply engines for the>[...]

blog comments powered by Disqus



Advertisement

Advertisement

Podcasts

Advertisement

© 2007 - 2025 Web Development & Design by Pauli Systems, LC