United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby is a pragmatic and shrewd leader, but an extended interview yesterday made me think he works for the Biden Administration instead of the shareholders and employees of United Airlines. Or was he already aware that the Biden Administration would announce today that the European travel ban will soon end?
United Airlines CEO Defends Biden Administration Ban On European Travel
Kirby was back on CBS Face The Nation and was asked by host Margaret Brennan about the European travel ban. He responded by fully defending the Biden Administration, despite the steep impact of an illogical European travel ban on United’s bottom line:
BRENNAN: When it comes to data and science, Dr. Scott Gottlieb, the former FDA commissioner, has argued that the Biden administration’s travel restrictions that they’ve kept in place on Europe, on India and China, other countries, they don’t really work. Have they given you a timeline on when those restrictions will be lifted?
KIRBY: They haven’t given us a timeline specifically, but they do talk to us a lot, and I think they’re just trying to take a cautious approach and really put safety first as they go through the crisis. And given the case rates in Europe and the US are similar in the high vaccination rates higher in Europe, actually. I’m hopeful that we’ll get those borders, particularly to Europe, open soon, but they’re following the data and the science. But we hope that- that as- as cases come down, that that’s something that will happen soon.
BRENNAN: Do you think that’s a political decision?
KIRBY: I really think that they’re just focused on trying to do the right thing here, and this is a lot of uncertainty around what it means, and I think they’re just focused on the right thing.
Kirby fawns over the Biden Administration on other topics too. Look, I get it. The federal government has greatly aided the U.S. airline industry during the pandemic and continues to provide subsidies that sustain it. The Biden Administration is in power now and has a great deal of influence over airline travel.
Kirby has become quite cozy with this White House, with recent White House meetings concerning both vaccine mandates and climate change. Again, I can see why Kirby wants to maintain a strong relationship with the Biden Administration and how much loyalty matters to those in power (and loyalty requirements were even worse in the Trump Administration, so this is not a partisan issue).
But I just cannot accept the logic behind the European travel ban. I don’t support Chinese or Indian travel bans either, but at least they are somewhat reciprocal. While Europe Union nations have opened its borders to U.S. travelers, exceeded the USA in vaccine progress, and now boasts lower case numbers, the doors remain closed for those wanting to travel to the USA.
The “safety” argument just does not hold up when other countries in areas of much higher risk are allowed in without the same restrictions. The European Union is singled out and no one can actually cogently explain why on a scientific or rational basis. Workers in Ireland and Germany are flying to Mexico to spend two weeks there so they can enter the United States. What a silly charade when case numbers in Mexico care far worse and the delta variant is in both places and the dominant strain in USA!
Kirby claims the Biden Administration is “doing the right thing” and “following the data and science” and “putting safety first” but cannot get specific and Brennan, unfortunately, did not push him.
What I’d like to see Kirby say instead, is something like this:
I understand the initial reasons that Europeans were blocked from traveling directly to the United States. But it’s time to change this. We will never eliminate all risk, but we greatly harm families longing to be reunited with loved ones and business on both sides of the Atlantic by continuing a ban when there are much more proportionate mechanisms in place like testing and vaccine requirements that could be required for these visitors and address legitimate safety concerns.
Or just stand by the letter he signed in July 2020 urging for the immediate re-opening of transatlantic travel between Europe and the Untied States.
Could it be that he knew today’s announcement that the ban would be lifted was coming?
CONCLUSION
As much as I love my increased upgrade chances when traveling to Europe due to fewer Europeans onboard, the continued travel restrictions are indefensible. That’s a horse I’ve beat dead on Live and Let’s Fly, but the fact that Kirby is now carrying water for the Biden Administration on this illogical, unscientific policy is really disappointing.
Hopefully Kirby did so because he knew today’s announcement that the ban will be lifted in November was coming…
He knows his audience. He’s looking to the admin to pick up the tab on some of his environmental ambitions. He’s also losing favor in the investment community because of plans for capacity growth, which is anathema to Wall Street.
Because he’s not stupid Matthew. Kirby very well knows who’s got the money right now. It’s not the so called “investors” who carry the water right now. Remember, they are OUR airlines, we bailed them out. Where were all the “investors” and so called “stockholders “ when all these airlines were going bust last year, huh?? Kirby is waay to smart to kick golden egg goose. On the other hand, Kirby smells this pandemic is not over yet. Delta is still out there and he knows he will need Biden’s help yet again. Who’s going to give it to him?? The famous “investors” or us??? Hmmm..wonder…
I do get it. He’s a strategic and smart man. It is still sad to see someone compromise intellectual coherency for money.
There is a fine line between smart man and one who will say and or do anything for money
Again, I respectfully disagree. In my opinion, this is not about being intellectually coherent with the company, but about surviving financially. If he can take care of this very important issue, he can always come back to “intellectual coherency” and do good for UNITED’s investors. My own take on things.
Airlines towing the current administration’s line is not new. Your sudden surprise and indignation appears to be.
Try again, Pete:
https://liveandletsfly.com/united-ceo-trump-meeting/
Not trying to be mean here but do you not get a twinge of irony saying that when you freely admit to posting clickbait headlines strictly for the clicks?
I think it would be one thing if I was one UA’s payroll being a shill but trying to act impartial – then you could call me out rightfully.
But clickbait is different – I may compromise in the sense that I’m not proud of that content, but I’m not being hypocritical about it.
Congress gave his company $20 billion in taxpayer cash with basically no strings attached. A gift. I’m surprised he didn’t say Biden was the second coming of Jesus Christ.
He’s becoming a little too woke TBH
Joe is Scott’s ‘sugar daddy’ ….. so sure he’s carrying his water.
Oh dear Matthew, unless you’re speculating on the future likelihood of a Trump Air return, a subsequent partnership with El Al, & it’s offering a 24karat frequent flyer membership level, must you soil your otherwise crisp linens w these topics? I come here to read about meal options in first class & yr quest for a Lufthansa rubber duck. Perhaps you can spare me the corporate conjectures better left to a private discussion thread on Parler?
On Parler? Are you kidding me? I made the same argument about CEOs cozying up to Trump. You defend Kirby’s groveling over an unscientific, illogical travel ban? Partisanship is a disease. This isn’t a red vs. blue issue.
Me thinks that you’re the political one here….
Europe has a higher vaccination rate than the US, so let Kirby explain the ban; I don’t think he’ll be there (at UA) for a long time.