American Airlines has announced that CEO Doug Parker is stepping down at the end of March.
The announcement came just before 6:00 a.m. Tuesday by way of a YouTube video during which Parker said he would turn over CEO duties to Robert Isom who is currently president of American.
Parker became CEO of American in 2013 with the merger of American and US Airways. Parker leaves American on March 31st and Isom becomes CEO on the same date.
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Parker took over just 10 days after 9/11 and was credited with guiding the company out of the crisis.
Parker will continue as chairman of the airline’s board.
“I have worked with Robert (Isom) for two decades and I am incredibly pleased that he will be the next CEO of American Airlines, which is truly the best job in our industry,” Parker said in a statement.
“His efforts to guide and support our team throughout the pandemic have been nothing short of phenomenal. We are well-positioned to take full advantage of our industry’s recovery, and now is the right time for a handoff we have planned and prepared for.”