Posted on: Sunday, June 5, 2005

Ex-airline boss hospitalized

Associated Press

Former Aloha Airlines president Glenn Zander is reported in stable condition in the intensive care unit of a Georgia hospital after suffering a heart attack.

Zander, 58, is being considered for bypass surgery early this week, the airline said. He was stricken early Tuesday at his home in Kennesaw, Ga.

Zander stepped down after 10 years last October to spend more time with his wife, Gayle, who has been battling a rare form of cancer for several years.

Aloha also announced that Chief Financial Officer Jim Clarke has resigned, effective immediately. The company provided no reason for the departure and Clarke declined to elaborate other than to say he was notified on Friday. He had been with Aloha since Dec. 2, 2003.

The airline will bring in a restructuring officer this week who has "a wealth of experience in steering companies through the bankruptcy process," said David Banmiller, who took over as president and CEO in last year.

The new executive will oversee Aloha's financial management as interim chief financial officer.

The airline on Wednesday laid off 25 flight attendants, and is laying off about 20 customer service agents. It earlier said it would lay off 79 mechanics because of the outsourcing of heavy-machinery work.

Aloha has been in Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization since late last year.