United Airlines CEO resigns following federal investigation

Two other executives of the US's third largest airline also resigned

United Airline pilots flying international routes are very experienced, a spokeswoman said (Getty)

Jeff Smisek has stepped down from his roles as chairman, president and chief executive of United Airlines along with two other senior members of staff in the wake of a federal investigation, the airline announced on Tuesday.

Earlier this year, it was revealed that the nation’s third largest airline was under investigation for allegedly adding flights from Newark to an airport near the weekend home of former Port Authority chairman, David Samson, in exchange for improvements at Newark Liberty Airport, the New York Times reports.

In an official statement, United, which operates an average of nearly 5,000 flights a day across six continents, confirmed the resignation was linked to the investigation and said it was currently cooperating with the authorities.

"The departures announced today are in connection with the company’s previously disclosed internal investigation related to the federal investigation associated with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. The investigations are ongoing and the company continues to cooperate with the government,” the company said in a statement.

Nene Foxhall, United’s executive vice president of communications and government affairs, and Mark R. Anderson, its senior vice president of corporate and government affairs, have also stepped down. These departures are reported to be connected to the investigation.

Mr Smisek will be replaced by Oscar Munoz as president and chief executive. Mr Munoz, who already has a seat on United’s board of directors, was the chief operating officer of CSX Corporation, a premier transportation company, prior to joining United.

“It is truly a privilege to serve as United’s CEO. United has an incredible opportunity for improving an experience that is essential to the vitality of global business and to the personal lives of millions of people, for innovation, and for earnings growth,” said Mr Munoz, president and CEO of United.