ATLANTA (AP) — Delta Air Lines Inc. said Wednesday that Chief Operating Officer James Whitehurst, who was passed over for the carrier's top job, has resigned, effective immediately.

Outgoing Chief Executive Gerald Grinstein said in a statement that Atlanta-based Delta had hoped Whitehurst would stay, but the airline respects "his decision to move on in pursuit of new challenges."

The nation's No. 3 carrier said last week that former Northwest Airlines Chief Executive Richard Anderson would become Delta's new CEO on Saturday.

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Whitehurst and Delta Chief Financial Officer Ed Bastian had both been top internal candidates to replace Grinstein but were passed over. Bastian, who received a promotion, is staying with Delta.

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