United’s VP named interim chief
The airline continued to keep its communications close to the vest after its new CEO collapsed from a heart attack.
On Monday, United announced that Brett Hart, the airline’s executive vice president and general counsel, will serve as acting chief executive. Its president and CEO, Oscar Munoz, suffered a heart attack Oct. 15 and has been placed on medical leave.
The airline has been silent about Munoz’s condition and how it will affect the company. On Monday, United issued a statement that said it will “conclude the corporate governance process necessitated” by Munoz’s heart attack. It didn’t disclose additional details, nor did it say much more with its announcement of Hart’s appointment.
“It is too soon to know the course of treatment and timing of recovery,” United said in its statement.
United appointed Munoz as its chief executive on Sept. 8, following the airline’s announcement that its former CEO, Jeff Smisek, had stepped down. The resignation came in middle of federal investigation into the airline. Munoz is 56 years old.
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