President Barack Obama has appointed United Airlines chairman and chief executive Glenn Tilton as a member of the National Export Initiative (NEI).

The programme is designed to double American exports over five years, with Tilton joining a body of leading businesspeople from across the United States.

“The US aviation industry, specifically network carriers that fly internationally, will play a critical role in achieving the goal of doubling America’s exports over the next five years, and will continue to be an engine of economic growth enabling global trade and the movement of people and goods,” explained Mr Tilton.

Presenting a progress report earlier today, president Obama stated the NEI was thus far meeting its objectives, with exports in the first four months of 2010 up almost 17 per cent from the same period last year.

Prior to joining United in September 2002, Mr Tilton was the vice chairman of the board of directors of ChevronTexaco, as well as the interim chairman of Dynegy.

He presently serves as chairman of the board of directors of the Air Transport Association, the industry trade organisation representing the leading US airlines.

Boeing Connection

Tilton will be joining other leading representatives from the aviation industry, including Boeing chairman Jim McNerney, who presently chairs the president’s Export Council.

He explained: “President Obama has assembled an outstanding team to help reach the goal he has set for our nation to double US exports over the next five years.

“It is an ambitious goal. However, with this team in place, I am confident we can develop a solid plan for the public policy decisions that will expand free and fair trade and strengthen the United States economically.

“I congratulate and welcome the new members named today and look forward to working with them in the months ahead.”