American Airlines CEO Doug Parker is stepping down in the second major airline industry shakeup this year, following the announcement of Gary Kelly retiring as Southwest's CEO.
Parker will retire next March. His announcement comes just days shy of his eighth anniversary on the job. He became CEO on Dec. 9, 2013, following then-bankrupt American's merger with Phoenix-based US Airways, which he also headed.
Parker, who remains in his role as chairman of the board, will be succeeded by American Airlines President Robert Isom, who has held previous leadership roles at US Airways, Northwest and America West.
"I have worked with Robert 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. "It has been the privilege of my life to serve for 20 years as an airline CEO. I am forever grateful to the American team, whose commitment to taking care of each other and our customers has never wavered and will continue to drive our success going forward.”
