Rollin King, businessman who had the idea for Southwest Airlines, dies at 83

DALLAS – Rollin King, a San Antonio businessman who helped start Southwest Airlines Co. and create a new age of competition in the airline industry, has died at 83.

King died Thursday in Dallas of the effects from a major stroke about a year ago, his son, Edward King, told The Associated Press.

Longtime Southwest CEO Herb Kelleher praised King for coming up with the idea of a discount airline that would serve Texas travellers. Kelleher said in a statement issued by Southwest on Friday that King’s idea for a low-cost, low-fare airline with quality service spread became a model not only in the U.S. but worldwide.