Scott Kirby

United Airlines reaps cargo benefit from supply chain chaos

A white United Airlines jet with a blue tail flying into the blue sky heading away from the camera.

United Airlines’ cargo business continued its superlative performance in the first quarter with $627 million in revenue as the airline presented a bullish outlook for a return to profitability in the second quarter and full year.

CEO Scott Kirby said in a LinkedIn post that United is “exiting the tunnel” after two years of pandemic losses and cutbacks.

Sales for United Cargo improved 119% from pre-pandemic levels and were 26% better than a year ago even though cargo revenue ton miles — tons...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/united-airlines-reaps-cargo-benefit-from-supply-chain-chaos

United Airlines ditches cargo-only flights as passengers return

A large United Airlines jet gets loaded through its cargo door.

United Airlines has mostly phased out use of jets for dedicated cargo service, returning them to full-time passenger operation as long-haul travel demand rapidly snaps back from the COVID plunge, Chief Commercial Officer Andrew Nocella said Wednesday.

The temporary freighters were a big reason that United’s cargo revenue shot up 105% in the second quarter to $606 million and 89% in the first half of 2021. The flights made money even though the widebody aircraft deployed have less than half the...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/united-airlines-ditches-cargo-only-flights-as-passengers-return

United Airlines: Least worst is best

Two white United jets pointed nose-to-nose at each other. United Airlines is being cautious about adding aircraft to its schedule while the economy is still depressed.

When it comes to airline economics, being the least worst of the bunch is a plus. 

United Airlines (NASDAQ: UAL) executives on Wednesday took pride that the company’s record-setting second-quarter net loss was only $1.6 billion. They said the airline is outperforming big domestic competitors during the COVID crisis by better managing capacity and that stanching financial losses now is a harbinger for strong results when the economy improves. 

Last week, Delta Air Lines (NYSE: DAL) reported a $5.7...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/united-airlines-least-worst-is-best

United Airlines records $1.6b Q2 loss; cargo revenue soars

A dark blue United Airlines jet comes in for landing, side view right above the tree tops. United posted a $1.6 billion loss Tuesday.

United Airlines (NASDAQ: UAL) achieved 36.3% growth in cargo revenue in the second quarter after transitioning idle aircraft to cargo-only flights, but the glimmer of good news was overshadowed by a $1.6 billion net loss, not including special charges.

It was the worst quarter in United’s 94-year history. Revenues fell 87% year-over-year as travel demand evaporated because of travel restrictions and fears of infection from the coronavirus, United said. The earnings report, released after the...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/united-airlines-records-1-6b-q2-loss-cargo-revenue-soars

With eye on rebound, United looks for alternative to furloughs

White jets with blue tails at airport terminal

Domestic airlines this week announced plans to permanently eliminate large numbers of management and administrative jobs as a prelude to even larger reductions in frontline forces. But United Airlines (NASDAQ: UAL) CEO Scott Kirby dismissed furloughs as an a primary option, saying they are a temporary solution that undermines the ability to capitalize on growth opportunities when coronavirus fears subside and travel takes off again.

No one knows when strong demand will return, so United’s...

https://s29755.pcdn.co/news/with-eye-on-rebound-united-looks-for-alternative-to-furloughs

Breaking: New United CEO revamps C-suite to deal with COVID

White planes with blue tails on the tarmac.

Scott Kirby, who took over as CEO of United Airlines (NASDAQ: UAL) a week ago, wasted no time reshuffling the leadership team as the company tries to navigate the coronavirus crisis and a diminished travel market for the foreseeable future.

Late Wednesday he promoted Jon Roitman to chief operations officer, effective June 1. Greg Hart, the current COO who had indicated a desire to retire within 18 months or less, was tasked with developing medium- and long-term strategies for improved safety,...

https://s29755.pcdn.co/news/breaking:-new-united-ceo-revamps-c-suite-to-deal-with-covid

United Airlines names Kirby’s successor as president

United Airlines (NASDAQ: UAL) has named Brett Hart as president, effective May 20.

Hart, who joined United in 2010, is the airline’s executive vice president and chief administration officer.

The promotion is part of the airline’s leadership succession plan announced in early December in which current CEO Oscar Munoz will become executive chairman and Scott Kirby, the current president, will move up to lead the company.

Munoz complemented Hart for his “strong track record” at United over the past...

https://s29755.pcdn.co/news/united-airlines-names-kirbys-successor-as-president

United Deep Dive: Earnings call underscores airlines’ disciplined survival plan

White jet on appoach for landing.

No one knows when the economic depression will end. It’s no surprise that many companies lost money in the first quarter and will have worse results during the second quarter. Instead, investors are trying to figure out who is able to recover fastest and win market share in a post-pandemic reopening.

That’s why no one cares that United Airlines (NASDAQ: UAL) lost $1.7 billion in the first three months of the year. For the airline industry the metrics that count now are liquidity and cash burn....

https://s29755.pcdn.co/news/united-deep-dive-earnings-call-underscores-airlines-disciplined-survival-plan

United Airlines plans for worst, hopes for best

White regional jets parked at airport.

United Airlines’ President Scott Kirby on Friday laid out a stark future for the airline industry, saying  the carrier is preparing for a scenario in which there is no passenger revenue into next year and it will have to dismiss thousands of workers if travel doesn’t rebound from the coronavirus crisis.

In a matter of weeks, the pandemic has vaporized an industry that was seeing record growth, turning airports into ghost towns and airplanes nearly empty. United appears to be the most pessimistic...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/united-airlines-plans-for-worst-hopes-for-best