In response to the outrage caused by the wrongful removal of eight Black passengers from a Phoenix to New York flight, American Airlines, the world's largest airline, has announced new measures to address the incident. The CEO of American Airlines, Robert Isom, has stated that the airline will establish an advisory group to prevent similar incidents in the future.

The incident, which took place in January, involved three passengers who were not seated together and did not know each other, but were all mistakenly removed from the flight based on a complaint about body odor. The passengers subsequently filed a lawsuit against the carrier, alleging racial discrimination and humiliation.

Expressing his disappointment and acknowledging the airline's failure to meet its commitments, Isom sent a note to employees emphasizing the airline's determination to regain the trust of its customers. He also stated that American Airlines will collaborate with the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) to rebuild trust with the affected passengers.

The airline has affirmed that it will hold those responsible for the incident accountable, including removing team members from service. Furthermore, American Airlines is revising its procedures for handling customer allegations of discrimination or bias, as well as the criteria for removing passengers from a flight.

Previously, the NAACP had advised Black travelers to avoid American Airlines due to reported discriminatory behavior and a corporate culture that was seen as racially insensitive. Although the travel advisory was lifted in 2017, the civil rights group warned that it could reinstate the advisory if the airline did not respond swiftly and decisively to the recent incident.

In a statement to the Washington Post, the NAACP expressed its satisfaction with the initial steps taken by American Airlines to promote a more inclusive experience for all passengers. However, the group also highlighted the unfortunate prevalence of racism and discrimination faced by Black consumers from corporations.

Meanwhile, a potential settlement of the lawsuit seems to be in progress, as a recent court filing indicated that the plaintiffs and the airline have agreed to engage in settlement discussions.

American Airlines' implementation of new measures and commitment to working with the NAACP demonstrate a proactive effort to address the issues highlighted by the wrongful removal of the Black passengers. The airline's response will be closely observed as it strives to rebuild trust and ensure an inclusive experience for all customers.