Skift Take
The surprise appointment marks a speedy return to the aviation industry for the former JetBlue CEO.
Gordon Smith and Meghna Maharishi, Skift
Former JetBlue CEO Robin Hayes will join Airbus as the company’s lead for North America.
Hayes is best known for serving as JetBlue CEO for nine years. He also held senior roles at British Airways.
As chairman and CEO, he will be tasked with leading Airbus’ commercial aircraft business in the region. He will also have responsibility for coordination among the company’s helicopters, space and defense businesses.
Hayes takes over from Jeff Knittel on June 3.
“After some time off, I am excited and energized to join Airbus and build on the incredible success in the region. I have known Jeff and the Airbus team for well over a decade and I believe they have done a terrific job leading Airbus in the Americas. It is an honor for me to take up this opportunity to be part of the Airbus team,” Hayes said in a statement.
Outgoing chairman and CEO, Jeff Knittel added: “Robin’s vast aviation experience, depth of knowledge and industry relationships make him the right choice at the right time to lead the organisation into the future in line with the company’s global ambition. I look forward to watching the team reach new heights under Robin’s leadership.”
Hayes’ Time at JetBlue
Hayes previously said he would depart from the top post at JetBlue for health reasons.
He had big ambitions for JetBlue: He wanted to transform the low-cost airline into one that could compete with the ‘Big Four’ (American, Delta, United and Southwest).
His tenure saw mixed results as the carrier launched the industry-disrupting Mint business class product but also faced the loss of its merger with Spirit Airlines and the Northeast Alliance.
Hayes heavily championed the Spirit merger and Northeast Alliance as a means for JetBlue to achieve growth quickly. But a hawkish Department of Justice struck both down, citing anticompetitive concerns.
JetBlue saw its revenues decline and operating costs soar during his last few months at the carrier.
Hayes made around $10.8 million in total compensation in 2023, his highest take home pay in the past two years, according to a proxy statement filed by JetBlue last month.
Joanna Geraghty, JetBlue’s former chief operating officer and president, took over from Hayes in February, making her the first woman to lead a major U.S. airline.
Under Geraghty, JetBlue is scrapping its underperforming routes and making significant overhauls to its leadership as it tries to restore its profitability.
This story is breaking and will be updated.
Watch Jeff Knittel, Chairman and CEO, Airbus Americas at the Skift Aviation Forum 2023:
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Source: skift.com