JetBlue CEO Robin Hayes will step down next month, and the company’s Chief Operating Officer (COO), Joanna Geraghty, will assume the role. This transition comes as JetBlue aims to acquire budget carrier Spirit Airlines in a nearly $4 billion deal, which the U.S. Department of Justice has sought to block. A decision on the merger is expected in the coming weeks after a trial concluded last year.
Hayes, with over three decades of experience in the airline industry, cited the high-pressure nature of the job as the reason for his resignation. The proposed acquisition of Spirit Airlines is seen as a strategic move to enhance JetBlue’s growth and competitive positioning against larger rivals such as Delta and United. The trial outcome will play a significant role in determining the fate of the merger.
Hayes will remain on the board of directors until his departure on February 12, after which he will continue as a strategic advisor. Geraghty, who has been with JetBlue for about two decades, will join the board. As the new CEO, she faces the challenge of addressing recent struggles faced by JetBlue, particularly in the congested New York-area airspace and other busy regions like Florida.
Geraghty, who took on the role of COO in 2018, has been instrumental in overseeing various aspects of the business, including its expanding network and revenue management. If the Spirit Airlines deal proceeds, she will also play a crucial role in managing the merger process, aiming to integrate Spirit’s operations into JetBlue’s network.