United Airlines CEO undergoes heart transplant surgery

Four months after their newly appointed company president and CEO, Oscar Munoz, was forced to take medical leave following a heart attack in October last year, United Airlines have revealed that he underwent heart transplant surgery on Wednesday 6th January at an undisclosed medical facility. While the operation is believed to have been a success and Munoz will be expected to leave hospital within the fortnight if there are no complications, it will be unlikely he will return to his role in the company before the beginning of the second quarter this year. The airline also confirmed that the transplant was not as the result of a deterioration in Munoz’ health since his heart attack and was simply the “preferred treatment” as part of his road to recovery.
In the meantime, Brett Hart, United’s general counsel, will continue to deputize in his absence. However, the timing of Munoz’ illness could not have been more unfortunate for the troubled company, which is the USA’s third-largest airline. It has not been a smooth ride for United since it merged with Continental in 2010 under the helm of the former CEO, Jeff Smisek, having struggled with delays, a breakdown in its reservations system and other computer problems.
Munoz, who previously ran rail giant CSX, took over from Smisek who was forced out in September 2015 over a federal investigation launched, among other things, to investigate whether the airline had traded favors with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. Allegedly Smisek had agreed to reinstate previously loss-making flights to the airport near the weekend home of the Port Authority chairman, David Samson, in return for improvements United needed at Newark Liberty International Airport where it is the largest carrier.
It is understood that almost immediately the staff took to Munoz on his appointment and morale, which was at a low ebb, was already improving as a result of his new strategy. As a consequence, the airline has juggled a number of positions and improvised in order to continue with the Munoz’ plans.