The No 3 US airline also named Vicki Escarra, former executive vice-president for customer service, as chief marketing officer. It also said Michele Burns, chief financial officer, will take on added duties for technology and corporate real-estate functions of the carrier. Mullin said the changes, which have been considered for about a year, would speed up decision-making at Delta. Analysts said the move makes sense and gives Mullin more time to examine how to position Delta amid broader industry changes. For example, Delta has been grappling with how to respond to industry consolidation, as larger rivals, such as AMR Corp's American Airlines and UAL Corp's United Airlines announced acquisitions.
Delta faces other challenges.
Recent labor disputes with its pilots union and a strike at its Comair regional airline unit have hurt profits. At the same time, a slowdown in business travel has pinched the carrier. The pilot union's Master Executive Council at Delta on Wednesday continued to mull whether to approve the tentative labor agreement, which was reached after about 19 months of talks. The pact promises to make Delta's pilots the industry's best paid, with raises of 24-34 per cent. If the council clears the pact, it will be sent to Delta's 9,800 pilots for their consideration and a ratification vote.