Representative image.
“>
Former JetBlue Airways CEO Robin Hayes has been named the new head of Airbus’ operations in North America, the European planemaker said Monday.
Airbus said C. Jeffrey Knittel will retire as chairman and CEO of Airbus Americas, effective June 3. Hayes will take over after stepping down in February after nine years as CEO of JetBlue.
Hayes will lead Airbus’ commercial aircraft operations in North America, based in Herndon, Virginia, and will be responsible for coordinating between the company’s helicopters, aerospace and defense activities in the Americas, Airbus said.
Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury said Hayes will help the company “further achieve our strategic objectives for the region across all Airbus operations and further expand our North American footprint.”
Airbus said earlier this month that jet shipments rose 12 percent in the first quarter, putting the France-based company ahead of U.S. rival Boeing, which delivered 83 commercial jets in the same period.
Boeing is under scrutiny after an in-flight emergency in January led to renewed safety concerns and prompted the Federal Aviation Administration to ban the planemaker from expanding production of the 737 MAX. Airbus in January reported record annual jet orders for 2023, maintaining its top position in production ahead of Boeing for a fifth year.
