United Airlines CEO resigns amid corruption probe
United Airlines CEO Jeff Smisek has resigned along with several other senior officials as a result of a federal corruption investigation.
The American carrier been accused of trying to influence senior official at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.
The airline’s vice president of communications and government affairs and its senior vice president of corporate and government affairs have stepped down.
United has been accused of a sustained campaign to reduce the fees it pays at Newark Liberty Airport.
In a statement, United said: "The departures announced today are in connection with the company’s previously disclosed internal investigation related to the federal investigation associated with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. The investigations are ongoing and the company continues to cooperate with the government.
In addition to relinquishing his CEO role, Smisek will step down from his jobs as chairman, president, and as a director, all effective immediately, according to the company.
Before joining United, Smisek was the CEO of Continental Airlines when it merged with United in 2010.
He has been replaced in the top job by Oscar Munoz, who was most recently president and chief operating officer of CSX Corporation.
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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