United Continental announced on Sunday that its President and CEO Oscar Munoz is set to make his much-awaited return to the airline company on Monday, Mar. 14, following a lengthy absence because of illness.
The 57-year-old executive has made significant strides in his recovery after suffering a heart attack in October and undergoing heart surgery in January. United said that Munoz has already taken part in major decision-making for the airline company and has even met up with several shareholders and employees while he was recuperating.
He has also made a conference call with market analysts from Wall Street two weeks following the surgical procedure.
"I am thrilled to return full-time to a job and the employees I love," Munoz said.
Munoz pointed out that since assuming leadership of United in September, his team has been focused on helping out the company's employees improve its operation and the overall experience for its customers.
He said that the results of their efforts are beginning to show as evident in the airlines' emergence as one of the best in the industry when it comes to on-time arrivals and completion factors over the past few months.
The United CEO thanked the airlines' 85,000 employees around the world for helping it become one of the best and for taking care of its customers.
Munoz's scheduled return coincides with the company's meeting with labor union members. The summit was supposed to be held in October 2015 but was postponed after Munoz's heart attack. Brett Hart, United's general counsel, took over as acting CEO while Munoz recovered from illness.
Before being named the chief executive of United, Munoz was already serving as a member of the airlines' board of directors. He took over the reins of the company after former CEO Jeff Smisek and other executives resigned because of allegations of illegal dealings with officials from the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey (PANYNJ).
Munoz promised United's shareholders and employees that he will make efforts to improve customer and labor relations in the company.
Henry L. Meyer III, a senior member of the United's board of directors, said that they remain confident in the strength and potential of the airlines. They are also pleased that Munoz will resume his roles as president and CEO of United on a full-time basis.
