American Airlines CEO Robert Isom and President Donald Trump met Wednesday at the White House, Reuters reported. The two met in the Oval Office, discussing air traffic control enhancements and aviation safety.
Wednesday’s meeting comes two weeks after the Jan. 29 midair collision between an American Eagle CRJ-700 and a Black Hawk helicopter in Washington. The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the accident, which killed all 67 people on both aircraft.
“Robert thanked President Trump for his leadership and commitment to take bold action on investments in aviation safety,” a memo from the carrier stated. Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy also attended the meeting.
Many U.S. airlines – including American – have expressed support for Trump and Duffy’s plans to take “bold” action on improving the air traffic control system. Duffy has even enlisted the help of Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency to take aim at the Federal Aviation Administration.
During a recent earnings call, Isom shared some optimism over the Trump administration’s potential impacts on the airline industry.
“We support commerce,” he said. “And I know that no matter who’s in office, that’s important. In regard to President Trump, I think we have a good indication from the last administration of the real enthusiasm for aviation. Don’t forget, under President Trump’s watch, we started support for the airline industry in the U.S. during the darkest days, the earliest days of COVID.”
In its Wednesday memo, the airline added that it will continue to work with the administration to improve aviation safety.
