American Airlines Names Arthur Pappas Vice President of Chicago and Leader of Its Hub at O'Hare Airport

FORT WORTH, Texas, May 19 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Arthur Pappas, a veteran of nearly 30 years with American Airlines, today was named the airline's Vice President-Chicago, with overall responsibility for American's major hub at O'Hare International Airport. Pappas succeeds Bernard J. DeSena, who is retiring after 40 years of service with the airline.

"Art Pappas is an astute and experienced executive with a strong sense of customer service and the leadership qualities necessary to succeed in today's highly competitive airline industry," said Ralph Richardi, American's Senior Vice President-Customer Service. "With his people skills and his understanding of our customers, Art is an outstanding choice to build on Bernie DeSena's many accomplishments at Chicago since taking over there nine years ago."

On behalf of American, Richardi thanked DeSena for his service, noting that DeSena had helped lead the Chicago hub through a period of unprecedented growth and expansion, including new nonstop services to Delhi, India, and Shanghai, China. "The strength and success of the Chicago hub is an outgrowth of Bernie's hard work and dedicated leadership. He was a tireless champion of Chicago and a watchful manager of the hub's performance. American is deeply grateful for everything Bernie has achieved for us and our customers."

Chicago is the second largest hub in American's network. Together, American and its regional affiliate, American Eagle, serve Chicago with more than 520 flights a day to about 120 destinations. There are approximately 10,000 employees of American and American Eagle based in Chicago. American is a founding member of the global oneworld(R) Alliance.

Pappas joined American in 1976 as a reservations agent in New York. After serving in a number of customer service positions in the New York area, including service at New York's LaGuardia Airport, he was assigned to Dallas/Fort Worth Airport, American's largest hub, serving for 13 years at DFW in passenger service, operations and as Ramp Manager. Later, Pappas was promoted to Managing Director-System Operations Control, heading the organization that coordinates the operation of the airline worldwide.

In 1999, Pappas became Regional Manager, responsible for a number of cities served by American in the Northeast. Three years later, he assumed his most recent post as Managing Director-Los Angeles, overseeing all facets of American's customer service and ramp service activities at Los Angeles International Airport.

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