United CEO Scott Kirby expressed optimism about the new Trump administration. Even as the White House makes sweeping changes within the DOT and FAA, Kirby continues to hope for improvements in air traffic control constraints.
“[We] feel good about the DOT and the administration and the impact that they will have on air traffic control,” he said during a Wednesday earnings call. “There’s a ton of upside there.”
United – which donated $1 million to Trump’s inaugural fund – has blamed much of its “clear blue sky day” delays on air traffic control restrictions. This is especially the case at the carrier’s Newark, New Jersey, hub.
“ That impacted millions of customers and it is just basic blocking and tackling,” Kirby added. “ When I talked to the president, he knows a lot about airplanes. He knows a lot about the airspace, and he is focused even at his level on fixing it.”
Filling Top Roles
Several high-level roles at key aviation agencies remain vacant following the inauguration, including the Transportation Security Administration and Federal Aviation Administration. Former U.S. Rep. Sean Duffy has been tapped to head the Department of Transportation, pending Senate confirmation.
Kirby also said Duffy is committed to fixing these issues, adding that the two spoke this weekend.
“ I think that they will do the basic blocking and tackling, get the FAA the right resources, [and] the right technology to run effectively,” Kirby said. “… I think we’re going to be off to the races on that.”
