- After nine years in the position
- Thanks for Hayes
- Joanna Geraghty taking over
- Hayes made a lengthy statement and said 282 words
(exechange) — New York, January 8, 2024 — Robin Hayes, chief executive of JetBlue, leaves his position. As announced by JetBlue Airways Corp. in a news release and in a regulatory filing published on Monday, January 8, 2024, Robin Hayes leaves his post as chief executive officer at the low-cost airline, after nine years in the role, effective February 12, 2024.
Generally speaking, it raises questions when a CEO leaves his post at short notice.
Robin Hayes’s duties as CEO will be taken over by Joanna Geraghty, currently president and chief operating officer at JetBlue Airways Corp.
“On the advice of my doctor and after talking to my wife, it’s time I put more focus on my health and well-being”
The management change is explained as follows. Hayes stated: “For nearly 35 years – both at British Airways and here at JetBlue – I’ve loved working in this industry. However, the extraordinary challenges and pressure of this job have taken their toll, and on the advice of my doctor and after talking to my wife, it’s time I put more focus on my health and well-being.”
Precise information regarding Robin Hayes’s future plans was not immediately available.
“Retire”
JetBlue said: “Joanna Geraghty, currently the company’s president and chief operating officer, will succeed Robin Hayes as chief executive officer, effective February 12, 2024. Hayes will continue to serve on the company’s Board of Directors until that time, at which point Geraghty will join the Board.”
JetBlue further said: “On January 7, 2024, Robin Hayes, Chief Executive Officer of JetBlue Airways Corporation (“JetBlue” or the “Company”), notified the Company of his decision to retire from his position, effective February 12, 2024.”
Share price decline since January 2022
The announcement follows a decline in JetBlue Airways Corp.’s share price of 62% since January 2022.
In the position of CEO since 2015
Robin Hayes became CEO of the Company in 2015.
Hayes will serve as a strategic advisor to the company over the coming months.
Hayes has been JetBlue’s CEO since February 2015.
He served as president and Chief Executive Officer from 2015 to May 2018.
From 2014 to 2015, Hayes was JetBlue’s President, responsible for the airline’s commercial and operations areas, including Airport Operations, Customer Support (Reservations), Flight Operations, Inflight, System Operations, Technical Operations, as well as Communications, Marketing, Network Planning and Sales.
He served as JetBlue’s Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer from August 2008 until December 2013.
Prior to joining JetBlue, Hayes was the Executive Vice President for The Americas for British Airways, a commercial airline.
Over the span of a 19-year career with British Airways, he also served as Area General Manager for Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean.
Hayes currently serves as the Board Chair of the IATA Board of Governors.
282 words by Robin Hayes
In the release announcing his departure as CEO of JetBlue Airways Corp., Robin Hayes received thanks.
In announcing his departure, Robin Hayes made a lengthy statement and said 282 words.
“Bittersweet”
Robin Hayes stated: “It’s bittersweet to retire from this airline I love, but I will always feel a part of the JetBlue team and be rooting for its continued success. For nearly 35 years – both at British Airways and here at JetBlue – I’ve loved working in this industry. However, the extraordinary challenges and pressure of this job have taken their toll, and on the advice of my doctor and after talking to my wife, it’s time I put more focus on my health and well-being. I am deeply grateful for these many exciting years and I feel very lucky to have worked at an airline with a brand, culture, and team that are simply unlike any other in the world. It has been a privilege to lead JetBlue for the past nine years, and I am proud of all we have accomplished. With a rigorous succession plan in place, the board and I are confident that Joanna is more than ready given her critical role in running JetBlue’s day-to-day business and positioning the airline for success. She guided the operation through the most turbulent time in airline history, has overseen the development and execution of new commercial initiatives, and has tirelessly worked to make JetBlue a better place for our crewmembers and customers. She has been actively engaged in our integration planning with respect to our proposed Spirit transaction. In addition, Joanna and the team have developed a strong plan for JetBlue as we work to return to profitability. For all these reasons, I know the airline is well equipped to continue driving progress and I can pass the baton with confidence knowing she is the right leader at the right time for our airline.”
Push-out Score for Robin Hayes’s move determined
The Push-out Score™ determined by exechange gauges the pressure surrounding Robin Hayes’s move on a scale of 0 to 10.
Read the full story in the exechange report 3.2024 ($).