American Airlines CEO Doug Parker to step down in March

The carrier announced on Tuesday that American Airlines CEO Doug Parker will retire in March and President Robert Isom will take over the role.

It was the privilege of my life to serve as an airline CEO for 20 years. 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. Parker, who became American spokesman in 2013, will remain chairman of the board after his March 31 retirement.

He previously served as CEO of America West, but was named chief executive 10 days before the Sept. 11 attacks. Parker guided the airline through the crisis and oversaw its merger with U.S. Airways, and later U.S. Air's merger with American.

Isom was named president in 2016 and previously served as chief operating officer at American, a position he held at U.S. Airways.

"I am humbled to serve as CEO of American Airlines," said Isom. Our industry and airline have gone through a period of transformation over the past several years. Today, our more than 130,000 dedicated team members fly more people than any other U.S. airline on the youngest fleet of all network carriers, and we are poised to lead the industry as travel rebounds. Parker will be the second airline chief executive this year to announce his intent to step down. Southwest CEO Gary Kelly said he will hand over the reins to airline executive vice president Robert Jordan in February.