Chief executive of Great Plains Airlines resigns

<br>OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ The co-founder and chief executive of Tulsa-based Great Plains Airlines is resigning, a company spokesman said. <br><br>Jim Swartz is stepping down to ``pursue other interests,''

Friday, December 14th 2001, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ The co-founder and chief executive of Tulsa-based Great Plains Airlines is resigning, a company spokesman said.

Jim Swartz is stepping down to ``pursue other interests,'' including a similar airline business he owns in Arizona, said Great Plains spokesman Steve Turnbo.

Jack Knight, a former senior vice president, will take over the Tulsa company.

Great Plains' 150 employees learned about the resignation Thursday, Turnbo said.

The airline operates a fleet of new 32-seat Fairchild Dornier regional jet aircraft with nonstop, direct service from Tulsa International Airport to Albuquerque, N.M.; Colorado Springs, Colo.; Nashville, Tenn.; and Oklahoma City.

The company has plans to serve 26 cities by the end of 2003, carrying more than 1 million passengers and generating revenue in excess of $176 million, officials said.