United Continental investors hope their airline closes the gap

Scott Kirby can be a whiz with airline numbers, and that is just what United Continental shareholders are craving as the nation’s third-largest carrier prepares for its first investor day in two years on Tuesday. Kirby’s hire as United’s president from top-ranked American Airlines Group in August completed the overhaul of the former’s senior ranks by CE Oscar Munoz. It also heightens expectations that the carrier can start delivering on the advantages offered by its creation six years ago. United has one blessing and one big problem. Its lineup of routes leads the global industry, spanning the country and connecting big US business centres to Europe, Asia and Latin America. However, it has stubbornly earned less revenue from each mile of flying than peers such as Delta. Years of delayed and cancelled flights alienated high-paying corporate fliers and dented profits. “Despite an arguably better domestic and international network, United still lags Delta on just about every financial and operational metric,” said Roger King, airline analyst at CreditSights. The new team recruited by Munoz has spent the summer and early fall in a root-and-branch review of every route it flies, executives have said. Those attending Tuesday’s event expect executives to lay out a path for ending that gap with Delta and others. United declined to comment or make executives available.<br/>