United Airlines’ CEO said airlines are selling seats for flights they can’t staff — but Buttigieg hasn’t acted on state officials’ demand that he crack down.
by Rebecca Burns and Andrew Perez, The Lever
The recent holiday travel meltdown wasn’t a fluke or a one-off — cancellations will continue because airlines routinely sell tickets for flights they know they may not be able to staff and operate, the chief executive of United Airlines told investors yesterday. The stunning admission from the highest reaches of the airline industry confirms a warning sent by state attorneys general to Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg prior to the December travel meltdown.
However, Buttigieg — the nation’s top regulator of the airline industry — has not used his power to crack down on the problem, as those state officials have demanded.
In unusually candid comments to company investors, United CEO Scott Kirby said ongoing cancellations among competitors are happening because the airlines are advertising schedules they can’t actually fly.
“There are a number of airlines who cannot fly their schedules,” he said. “The customers are paying the price. They’re canceling a lot of flights. But they simply can’t fly the schedules today.”
Referencing the December travel meltdown, he added: “What happened last year, is what I think is going to happen next year,” adding that his own company’s service was far more reliable, thanks to investments in staffing and technology.
Recent Posts
At UN Conference, Indigenous Peoples Say Little Has Changed After Promises Made A Decade Ago
April 19, 2024
Take Action Now Now, climate change is adding urgency to those pledges. By Anita Hofschneider, Grist In December, Catherine Muruparanga-Ikenn used…
Under UN Charter, Iran’s Attack Was A Legal Response To Israel’s Illegal Attack
April 19, 2024
Take Action Now Iran’s attack on Israel was lawful self-defense carried out in compliance with international humanitarian law. By Marjorie Cohn,…
WATCH: Google Fires Employees Involved In Protest Over Israeli Contract
April 18, 2024
Take Action Now The protesters have demanded that Google pull out of a $1.2 billion “Project Nimbus” contract. By Faizel Patel, The Citizen Tech…
Biden Is Still Working Hard To Block Palestinian Statehood
April 18, 2024
Take Action Now Despite Biden’s pledge to support a two-state solution, cables argue that Palestine should not be granted U.N. member status. by…