United Airlines chief to return to work in Q1 2016

“I am excited to be on the road to recovery”, Munoz wrote.

Still, Munoz will face a host of challenges upon his return.

Munoz’s comeback will cap a tumultuous period at the world’s second-biggest airline triggered by the surprise ouster of CEO Jeff Smisek in September.

The four-paragraph memo was the first public statement from Mr. Munoz since the 56-year-old was hospitalized on October 15, just 37 days after becoming CEO of the No. 2 US airline by traffic. When the board chose Hart to fill in, United said the directors were “actively engaged in preparing for all potential outcomes regarding the company’s leadership structure”.

Munoz succeeded Smisek after a corporate investigation, which paralleled a criminal investigation of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which operates Newark Liberty global Airport, a United hub.

As I’m sure you can appreciate, this has been a hard time for me and my family.

Under Hart, the company has put forward a tentative deal for maintenance workers, paving the way for the first contract covering technicians from both United and Continental since the airlines merged in 2010.

United, the largest carrier in Chicago and No. 2 in the world, last month reported a third-quarter profit of $1.7 billion, compared with $1.08 billion in the same quarter past year. USA airlines, including United, are enjoying a period of financial prosperity, benefiting from full planes and low fuel prices.

Hart vowed to continue this agenda in Munoz’s absence.

Shares were unchanged in after-market trading following the news.

Mr. Munoz’s letter offered no new information about what happened to him.