Robert Isom took over as CEO of American on March 31st, just ahead of what is set to be the airline’s biggest rebound in history. Isom’s main promise is a big one: to create a reliable airline ahead of the summer season as its competitors reduce their schedules and lower their expectations.
All about smooth travel
At a town hall with pilots this week, the new leader of American Airlines spoke about the airline’s priorities for this summer, saying:
“People really need to feel like they are in control of their itineraries and we give them control by making sure they get to where they want to go on time. I couldn’t be more honest about that. Struggling.”
America hopes that its advanced plans and lessons from winter will prepare it for any eventuality this summer. Photo: Vincenzo Pace | simple flight
Robert Isom’s warning comes at a critical time for US airlines, which are facing a spring crash. JetBlue is reportedly considering cutting 10% of its summer flights due to shortages, while Alaska Airlines already has 2% of its schedule for spring. Both airlines are America’s partners, which adds even more pressure to keep the airline flying smoothly.
America is ready
As the COVID threat looms in the successful summer, Isom believes America’s schedule reflects the levels of hiring that will be available. That’s an ambitious prediction given how COVID variables left airlines paralyzed in January, amid an Omicron surge among crew, and a tough US Halloween weekend last year due to staff shortages.
American even works to anticipate potential delays due to weather, which can have a knock-on effect of several days. The transportation company has invested heavily in an Integrated Operations Center (IOC) at Dallas-Fort. It is worth preparing for such days. This will include creating delay programs on the ground using air traffic control when there is bad weather at the destination airport to prevent last-minute cancellations.
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Bad weather and crew shortages are a crisis for airlines in current times, with the two together leaving hundreds of thousands of people on the ground. Photo: Vincenzo Pace | simple flight
We’ll see the impact of this planning over the summer as airlines cross over 90% of pre-pandemic traffic levels for the first time again. Americans have weathered the worst winter and spring shortage crises, and hopefully can expect sunny weather in front of the world’s largest airlines.
The new CEO takes the job
Robert Isom took over from veteran Doug Parker on March 31, ushering in a new era for the airline. From day one and over the years, Isom has carried two goals for the airline: to build a reliable and profitable operation. And that holds true in 2022, as Americans look to rebuild from the ground up in very different market conditions than they were three years ago.
Isom previously served as President and COO of American and had long been tempted to enter this role after Parker’s retirement. Photo: American Airlines
Achieving these goals will be easier said than done. Americans still face longstanding struggles with unions, customer perception, and much more. However, if there was ever a time to rebuild from scratch, it is today.
What do you think of the US expectations for this summer? Let us know in the comments!
Source: CNBC, The Dallas News
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