Skift Take
Robert Isom had warm words for Vasu Raja, the airline’s outgoing chief commercial officer, but hinted that it was time for him to go.
The CEO of American Airlines has made his first public comments since it was announced that the carrier’s commercial chief is leaving the company.
Late on Tuesday afternoon, the Dallas-based airline said Vasu Raja would step down next month. News of his departure coincided with a downgrading of American’s financial outlook for the current quarter.
"We know we've dug ourselves a hole in this second quarter, and our operating earnings are going to be off by a couple of hundred million dollars. We've got a lot of work to do to recoup that," said American CEO Robert Isom.
Speaking at the Bernstein Strategic Decisions Conference on Wednesday, Isom paid tribute to his outgoing colleague, but suggested that change was needed.
“I’ve known Vasu for a long time. I admire his creative thinking, his passion, he is an innovator and a disruptor. He’