UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 8-K

 

 

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

of The Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): October 19, 2015

 

 

UNITED CONTINENTAL HOLDINGS, INC.

UNITED AIRLINES, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Delaware Delaware		001-06033 001-10323		36-2675207 74-2099724
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)		(Commission File Number)		(IRS Employer Identification Number)

 

233 S. Wacker Drive, Chicago, IL 233 S. Wacker Drive, Chicago, IL		60606 60606
(Address of principal executive offices)		(Zip Code)

(872) 825-4000

(872) 825-4000

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code

 

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)

 

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

 

¨	Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

¨	Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

¨	Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

¨	Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

 

 

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ITEM 5.02. Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

On October 19, 2015, United Continental Holdings, Inc. (“UAL”) and United Airlines, Inc. (together with UAL, the “Company”) announced that Oscar Munoz, the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, is taking a medical leave of absence. In connection with Mr. Munoz’s leave of absence, on October 19, 2015, the UAL Board of Directors appointed Brett J. Hart, the Company’s Executive Vice President and General Counsel, as acting Chief Executive Officer.

Mr. Hart, age 46, has been Executive Vice President and General Counsel of the Company since February 2012. From December 2010 to February 2012, he served as Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of the Company. From June 2009 to December 2010, Mr. Hart served as Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary at Sara Lee Corporation.

A copy of the Company’s press release announcing these matters is attached to this Current Report on Form 8-K as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

ITEM 9.01

Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

(d)

Exhibits

 

Exhibit Number		Description
99.1		Press Release issued by the Company on October 19, 2015

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SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

Dated: October 19, 2015

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EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit No.		Description
99.1		Press Release issued by the Company on October 19, 2015

Exhibit 99.1

 

Brett J. Hart Named Acting CEO of United Airlines,

President and CEO Oscar Munoz

to Take Medical Leave

CHICAGO, Oct. 19, 2015 – United Continental Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: UAL) today announced that its president and CEO, Oscar Munoz, is on medical leave following a heart attack he suffered on Oct. 15, 2015. At this time, it is too soon to know the course of treatment and timing of recovery. The UAL board of directors has named Brett J. Hart, currently United’s executive vice president and general counsel, as acting CEO. This appointment is effective immediately.

In addition to serving as United’s general counsel, Hart has been responsible for government and regulatory affairs, corporate real estate, customer experience, corporate security, community affairs, contact centers and food services. Prior to joining United in 2010, Hart served as executive vice president, general counsel and corporate secretary at Sara Lee, partner at Sonnenschein Nath & Rosenthal, and special assistant to the general counsel at the U.S. Department of Treasury. Hart has a bachelor of arts degree in philosophy and English from the University of Michigan and a juris doctorate degree from the University of Chicago Law School.

Hart will work closely with Henry L. Meyer III, non-executive chairman of the board, and United’s experienced executive team to run the company in Munoz’s absence.

“Brett has taken on increasing responsibility beyond general counsel over the last few years in the operations and customer facing areas of the company. I am confident in his ability to continue to implement the company’s strategy and Oscar’s mission of bringing United’s people together around the shared purpose of becoming the best airline for our customers and employees,” said Meyer.

“Oscar’s agenda is focused on customer service, teamwork and innovation and I, along with the executive team, will continue to move quickly to implement it,” said Hart. “We believe strongly that we can continue to make steady progress on increasing shareholder value by working together to deliver a great product to our customers.”

 

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Brett Hart Named Acting CEO of United Airlines, President and CEO Oscar Munoz to Take Medical Leave/ Page 2

 

The board of directors remains actively engaged in preparing for all potential outcomes regarding the company’s leadership structure.

About United

United Airlines and United Express operate an average of nearly 5,000 flights a day to 373 airports across six continents. In 2014, United and United Express operated nearly two million flights carrying 138 million customers. United is proud to have the world’s most comprehensive route network, including U.S. mainland hubs in Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, New York/Newark, San Francisco and Washington, D.C. United operates nearly 700 mainline aircraft, and this year, the airline anticipates taking delivery of 34 new Boeing aircraft, including the 787-9 and the 737-900ER. United is also welcoming 49 new Embraer E175 aircraft to United Express. The airline is a founding member of Star Alliance, which provides service to 193 countries via 27 member airlines. More than 84,000 United employees reside in every U.S. state and in countries around the world. For more information, visit united.com, follow @United on Twitter or connect on Facebook. The common stock of United’s parent, United Continental Holdings, Inc., is traded on the NYSE under the symbol UAL.

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