United Airlines boss resigns

United Airlines chief executive James Goodwin has resigned.

Mr Goodwin said it was time "for a new leader to guide the organisation" which has struggled since the September 11 terrorist attacks.

The resignation came two weeks after a letter he wrote to employees was made public. In it, he predicted the troubled airline could perish unless its fortunes were reversed.

John W Creighton was elected to replace Goodwin by an unanimous vote of the company's board of directors. Creighton has been a member of UAL's board of directors since 1998.

Two unions representing United employees called for Mr Goodwin's resignation and the company's stock fell more than 20% last week.

Union leaders accused Mr Goodwin of panicking customers and workers unjustifiably.

They claimed his remarks were made to get contracted employees to agree to lower wages, gain negotiating leverage or get more government assistance.

In a statement released, Mr Goodwin said he was "proud to have contributed to the tremendous growth of United during my 34 years. ... United is a great company and it is the right time for a new leader to guide the organization through the challenges that lie ahead."

United is the world's largest air carrier in terms of revenue based on passenger miles.

The airline flies more than 600 jets to 130 destinations in the United States and internationally.