United Airlines CEO Apologizes for Chartering Private Jet Amid Travel Disruptions
United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby has issued an apology for chartering a private jet during the nationwide weather-related travel disruptions earlier this week. The apology came after Kirby took a private jet from New Jersey to Colorado at the height of the flight delays and cancellations.
According to FlightAware, over 7,400 U.S. flights were delayed on Wednesday, with an additional 1,200 flights canceled. This further aggravated the travel disruptions caused by severe weather conditions across the country.
Kirby acknowledged that chartering the private jet was the wrong decision and admitted that it was insensitive to the customers who were waiting to get home. In a statement provided to CBS News, he sincerely apologized to both the customers and the United Airlines team members who have been working tirelessly to accommodate passengers during these challenging times.
This apology follows Kirby’s earlier criticism of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for ordering flight cancellations and delays at Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey. In an email to employees, Kirby claimed that the FAA failed United and questioned their decision-making process.
The FAA responded to Kirby’s criticisms by stating that they are open to collaboration and willing to work with United and any other stakeholders to find solutions to the issues at hand.
Despite the apology, air travel continues to face strain as the Fourth of July holiday weekend approaches. As of Friday night, over 400 U.S. flights had been canceled and 6,700 delayed, according to FlightAware.
In conclusion, the decision to charter a private jet by United Airlines’ CEO amid the travel disruptions sparked controversy and received an apology. It remains to be seen how the airline will address the ongoing challenges and work towards improving customer satisfaction during these difficult times.