Airbus’ North America division will now be under the lead of former JetBlue Airways CEO Robin Hayes, taking over from Jeffrey Knittel, the airplane manufacturer announced Monday.
Hayes left JetBlue in February after the airline’s plan to buy Spirit Airlines fell through. This happened when a federal judge blocked the deal due to an antitrust lawsuit filed by the Justice Department.
Hayes, who has extensive experience in the airline industry and has also worked at British Airways, will start his new role in June.
He will be responsible for overseeing Airbus’ business in the region, which includes the expansion of narrow-body jet production in Mobile, Alabama.
Airbus supplies aircraft to customers like Delta Air Lines, his former employer JetBlue, and the airline Spirit was aiming to acquire.
When Hayes announced his departure from JetBlue in January, he explained, “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.”
