United Airlines said Friday that its new CEO, Oscar Munoz, has been admitted to a hospital. The airline gave no explanation or details of his condition.
The Wall Street Journal reported that Munoz suffered a heart attack, citing people familiar with the matter.
United Continental Holdings Inc. said Friday that Munoz’s family informed the company that he was admitted to a hospital on Thursday. The company, based in Chicago, said in a short statement that it was continuing to operate normally. A spokeswoman said the company would not provide additional information.
Munoz, 56, was named CEO of United Continental Holdings Inc. on Sept. 9 after the company made a stunning announcement that CEO Jeff Smisek had stepped down. Smisek faced questions about whether United sought favors from the officials who operate the New York-area airports. Federal prosecutors are investigating United’s ties to David Samson, the former chairman of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and a political ally of New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie.
Munoz was a railroad executive who had spent 11 years on the boards of Continental Airlines and United Continental, which was formed by the 2010 merger of United and Continental.