United Airlines leaves passengers stranded at airport, but CEO hops on private jet
1 min read 01 Jul 2023, 09:05 AM ISTUnited Airlines CEO, Scott Kirby, has apologised for taking a private jet while leaving thousands of stranded passengers at an airport in the US. Kirby stated that he made the wrong decision and apologised to customers and team members.
PremiumA very insensitive move by an airline CEO happened in America wherein the top executive left thousands of people stranded at an Airport and hopped on a private jet to get out of New York.
CEO Scott Kirby is from United Airlines and has now apologised for his actions. In a statement issued by United Airlines, Kirby said, "Taking a private jet was the wrong decision because it was insensitive to our customers who were waiting to get home. I sincerely apologize to our customers and our team members who have been working around the clock for several days — often through severe weather — to take care of our customers".
Kirby concluded by promising "to better demonstrate my respect for the dedication of our team members and the loyalty of our customers."
Kirby caught the private flight from Teterboro, New Jersey, to Denver on Wednesday, when United Airlines cancelled 750 flights — one-fourth of its schedule for the day, excluding the United Express.
United Airlines has cancelled 3,000 flights this week with the largest number at its Newark Liberty International Airport hub in New Jersey, which was hit by thunderstorms.
Kirby blamed disruptions in Newark last weekend on a shortage of Federal Aviation Administration air traffic controllers. He said in a note to employees “that the FAA frankly failed us" by reducing the rate at which planes could arrive and depart the airport, where United is the dominant carrier.
United vowed to fix its operation in time for the July 4 holiday weekend, which promises to be a hectic one at the nation’s airports.
Unions representing the airline's pilots and flight attendants have joined in the criticism, accusing United management of poor planning, a lack of crew schedulers, and operating too many flights.
United passengers have taken to social media and spoken to media about long airport lines and sleeping in airports after flights were cancelled.
United's operation has improved since midweek. The percentage of cancelled flights fell from 26% on Wednesday to 18% Thursday and 8% through Friday evening.
