(CMR) Brett J. Hart has been appointed President of United Airlines. He is the first black man to lead the 94-year-old company.
Hart replaces outgoing president Scott Kirby who will now become the company’s CEO.
Hart, who has been with the carrier since 2010, currently serves as the company’s executive vice president and a chief administrative officer, will begin his new role effective Wednesday, May 20, 2020
As President of United, Hart will continue to lead the company's public advocacy strategy including the Government Affairs, Corporate Communications, Legal and Community Engagement teams.
Hart will also continue to oversee business-critical functions like the Corporate Real Estate team and manage United's industry-leading environmental sustainability efforts.
“I am honored and energized as I take on these new responsibilities to lead this incredible team that I am convinced will build United into a thriving industry leader,” Hart said of his new role.
“The path forward will not be easy, but I am confident that Scott and I will continue our partnership to lead United through the extraordinary challenge posed by COVID-19. United's bright future is only possible because of the commitment of the most talented airline professionals in the world who serve United and our customers every single day – and I could not be prouder of them, “ added Hart.
Hart will forgo his salary as President, similar to his predecessors Kirby and Munoz
United Airline said it will not be replacing the role of Chief Administrative Officer.
Airlines around the world are taking huge hits to revenue as the pandemic shrinks demand for air travel.
US carriers have parked hundreds of planes and are drawing on a $50bn aid package that the federal government approved in March.
Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun in an in interview with the Today show on NBC said that a major airline bankruptcy will take place this year.
Calhoun was quick to go into damage control mode noting that he wasn’t talking specifically about anyone carrier.
United Airlines, Inc. is publicly traded through its parent company, United Airlines Holdings. Inc, which is a Delaware corporation and has a market capitalization of over US$21 billion as of January 2018.
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