United Airlines names new head of airport ops

United Airlines announced last week that it has appointed Mike Hanna the head of its worldwide airport operations, with immediate effect. Hanna has been with United for almost 22 years, with the last 10 years spent heading airport operations at the airline's major hubs across the US. He has over 25 years of aviation experience in total, including all areas of airport operations from cabin cleaning to lavatory servicing, fueling, ramp and customer service.

In the announcement, United said that Hanna will continue for now to hold his current position of head of airport operations at O'Hare International Airport in Chicago, the airline's largest hub, until his successor is named. The dual role is likely possible because United is currently operating at around 34 percent of its capacity and is raising its flight schedules very slowly, targeting to have its operations up to 40 percent in October. Earlier this month, the airline said it would be cutting more than 16,000 jobs later this year, when government aid schemes expire at the end of Q3.

Jon Roitman, COO of United Airlines, said of Hanna's appointment: "In his 22-year career with United, Mike has led from the heart, empowering employees and making strategic decisions that have continually fueled and supported United's success. I look forward to his leadership of the airport operations team as we help the best employees in the business navigate the challenges of the pandemic and begin to return our airline to the kind of culture, growth and prosperity we all want to see."