United Airlines appoints first ever African American Brett Hart as president

Reuters | United Airlines Holdings Inc., has named insider Brett Hart as president of the airline, succeeding Scott Kirby who is due to take over the reins as chief executive next week in the midst of the airline industry’s biggest crisis.

Chicago-based United had announced in December that Kirby would succeed Oscar Munoz as CEO under a transition the airline had hoped would secure a growth path after some tumultuous years.

But as the COVID-19 pandemic has crushed air travel demand in the past 2 months, airlines including United have shifted their focus to survival.

“More than ever, United needs – and as CEO, I will need – an experienced, level-headed strategist who can help us continue to make smart decisions and aggressively manage this crisis,” Kirby said in a memo to employees seen by Reuters.

Like Kirby, Hart will temporarily waive his salary, a measure that several top airline leaders are taking in an effort to cut costs.