Jeff Smisek has announced he is stepping down from his positon as CEO and chairman of United Continental “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". Oscar Munoz, who headed the transportation company CSX, will replace Smisek as the company's president and CEO.
The federal investigation involves the allegation that David Samson, the former chairman of the Port Authority used his position to get United to start a flight from Newark to South Carolina -- which was convenient to a home he owned. United is alleged to have agreed to the request.
United Continental announced that its executive vice president of communications and government affairs and its senior vice president of corporate and government affairs have stepped down, which are also in connection with federal investigation. The airline has stated that the “investigations are ongoing and the company continues to cooperate with the government”.