American Airlines Group Inc. (NASDAQ: AAL) announced today that Vasu Raja, Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer, will be leaving the airline in June.
Raja has served as American’s Chief Commercial Officer since April 2022, having previously held the role of Chief Revenue Officer and Senior Vice President of Network Strategy, where he was responsible for Network and Alliances. He joined American in 2004 and has held various roles in Sales, Planning, and Revenue Management during his tenure.
Effective immediately, Stephen Johnson, Vice Chair and Chief Strategy Officer, will assume leadership of the Commercial organization in addition to his current responsibilities. He will also help lead the search for a new Chief Commercial Officer.
Raja’s departure comes after a significant period of change for American Airlines, as the industry continues to recover from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and navigate new challenges in the global travel market.
During his time at American, Raja played a key role in shaping the airline’s commercial strategy, including network planning, revenue management, and partnerships with other carriers.
As the search for Raja’s successor begins, American Airlines will look to continue its focus on strengthening its network, enhancing the customer experience, and driving revenue growth in an increasingly competitive environment.
The airline industry has faced numerous challenges in recent years, from the grounding of the Boeing 737 MAX to the ongoing impact of the pandemic on travel demand. As American Airlines and its peers adapt to these challenges, strong leadership in key roles such as the Chief Commercial Officer will be critical to their success.
