Doug Parker, CEO of American Airlines has announced his retirement from what he stated was “truly the best job in our industry.”
This is the second biggest shakeup in the airline industry after the announcement of Gary Kelly’s retirement from the post of CEO of Southwest.
Doug Parker’s retirement from American Airlines will be effective from March 2022. He became the CEO of one of the major airlines of the country on 9th December 2013 after the bankruptcy announcement of US Airways and a successful merger with Phoenix.
Parker will continue with his role as the head of the board and will be succeeded by Robert Isom, who is the president of American Airlines.
Robert Isom has also performed in the leadership roles of America West, Northwest, and US Airways.
“I have worked with Robert for two decades, and I am incredibly pleased that he will be the next CEO of American Airlines, which is truly the best job in our industry,” Parker said in a statement. “It has been the privilege of my life to serve for 20 years as an airline CEO. I am forever grateful to the American team, whose commitment to taking care of each other and our customers has never wavered and will continue to drive our success going forward.”
He further stated “I have no doubt that the best is yet to come for Americans, and no one will be cheering louder for all of you than I will,” he wrote in a separate letter to employees.
American Airlines tweeted
On the other hand, Robert Isom stated that he is extremely humbled by the opportunity presented to him and thanked Parker whole-heartedly for mentoring him as well as performing in partnership in all these past years.“He is a leader and teacher who inspires all around him and leaves an incredible legacy in America and in our industry,” Isom said in a statement. “Looking ahead, I am deeply honored to be working alongside the best team in the industry and know that we will achieve great things together.”
