Delta Air Lines recently announced the retirement of Glen Hauenstein, the company's president, who will be stepping down on February 28th after a career of remarkable leadership and service. Following his retirement, Joe Esposito, a 35-year veteran of Delta, will assume the role of Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer, responsible for overseeing network planning, revenue management, sales, and loyalty.
Hauenstein, who joined Delta in 2005, played a pivotal role in transforming the airline's network from primarily domestic operations to a global footprint encompassing six continents. This expansion was facilitated through joint venture partnerships with renowned international carriers such as Virgin Atlantic, Air France-KLM, Latam, Aeromexico, and Korean Air.
Under Hauenstein's leadership, Delta's commercial teams have been instrumental in developing the airline's revenue premium compared to its competitors, contributing to consistent profitability year after year. Additionally, Hauenstein's strategic vision positioned Delta as the leading carrier for premium travel experiences.
Esposito, who has worked alongside Hauenstein for much of his Delta career, is well-positioned to lead essential functions as the airline enters its second century of flight. He has held various positions within Delta, including Senior Vice President of Network Planning, Pricing, and Revenue Management.
As a result of these changes, several key executives will report to Esposito, including the Executive Vice President of Global Sales & Distribution, the Senior Vice President of Customer Engagement & Loyalty, and the Senior Vice Presidents of Network Planning, International Pricing and Revenue Management, and Domestic Pricing and Revenue Management.
Furthermore, the company announced that the Senior Vice President and Chief Digital Officer will now report to the Executive Vice President and Chief Information Officer, while the Senior Vice President of Corporate Real Estate will report to the Chief External Affairs Officer.
These leadership changes mark a significant transition for Delta Air Lines as it looks towards the future under new leadership, while also recognizing the impactful legacy left by Glen Hauenstein. The market has reacted to these announcements by moving the company's shares -0.62% to a price of $70.70. If you want to know more, read the company's complete 8-K report here.
