A new CEO has just been appointed to lead Airbus Americas, and it’s… a puzzling choice?
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Robin Hayes appointed Airbus Americas CEO
Airbus has announced that as of June 3, 2024, Jeffrey Knittel is retiring as CEO of Airbus Americas, and will be replaced by Robin Hayes, the former CEO of JetBlue. Hayes has been in the industry for 35 years, most recently having spent 19 years at JetBlue, where he served as CEO for nine years.
In his new role, Hayes will lead the commercial aircraft business at Airbus Americas, and will have the responsibility for coordination among the company’s helicopters, space, and defense businesses in North America. Airbus has over 10,000 employees in the region, across 50 sites.
Here’s what Hayes had to say about his new position at Airbus:
“After some time off, I am excited and energised 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 honour for me to take up this opportunity to be part of the Airbus team. Airbus’ commitment to safety and decarbonisation is incredibly important to me personally, and I am both motivated by and committed to contributing to the Airbus purpose to pioneer sustainable aerospace.”
Here’s what Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury had to say about Hayes’ appointment:
“I am delighted to welcome Robin to Airbus. Together with the leadership team we’re looking forward to having Robin and his vast industry experience onboard to further deliver on our strategic objectives for the region across all the Airbus businesses and further grow our North American footprint. I want to thank Jeff for his many contributions to Airbus’ success over the years, and I wish him all the best for a well deserved retirement.”
Am I the only one who is confused?
As mentioned above, Hayes spent nine years as CEO of JetBlue, and finally “retired” in February 2024. At the time, it was explained that this decision was made at “the advice of [his] doctor,” as “the extraordinary challenges and pressure of this job have taken their toll.”
Now, just several weeks later, he’s going to be leading Airbus Americas? Nothing against Hayes, I’m just a bit puzzled by this appointment. Hayes’ background is in the airline industry rather than on the aircraft manufacturing side. That wouldn’t be a deal breaker if he were known for being an amazing leader or had a track record of success, but his tenure at JetBlue wasn’t exactly impressive by most measures.
He lead JetBlue as the carrier’s financial situation continued to deteriorate, he was behind the Spirit takeover that failed, and frankly he was in charge of the airline as it continued to offer customers more, while not being able to establish a revenue premium.
So I’m just curious what Airbus was looking for in picking a new CEO for Airbus Americas, and how the company ended up with Hayes? To Hayes’ credit, there are a couple of positive things that Airbus may have liked:
- JetBlue is a big Airbus customer and believer in the product, so I suppose it’s good to have an advocate for the brand
- While he may not have done a great job running his own airline, from 2020 to 2022, Hayes was the Chair of the IATA Board of Governors, and he has good relations with others in the industry
Bottom line
Former JetBlue CEO Robin Hayes will be joining Airbus, as CEO of the company’s Americas division. Just a couple of months ago, Hayes left JetBlue, citing health concerns, and now he’s taking on a big new role. In fairness, I have to imagine that being an executive at Airbus is a bit less stressful than being an executive at JetBlue.
What do you make of Hayes joining Airbus?
I believe having a former airline CEO will be good for Airbus. Boeing could have used fmr airline leadership in their management to realize the cost of losing focus on safety and cutting corners could have on their customer relationships and damage to their product. Mr. Hayes will be a good intermediary between the airlines and airbus leadership.
Boeing did have someone who had a good run as CEO of an airline but that was not enough to change Boeing’s culture. From 2011-2024, Larry Kellner was on Boeing’s board. Before that, he was CEO of Continental from 2004-2009 and Continental was one of the better US carriers under him. But he was overpowered by the MD culture upon joining Boeing.
He also oversaw the demise of the AA northeast alliance. Basically nothing but losses during his tenure.
It's one big club and you ain't in it.
Terriffic, maybe space and helo passengers will now be charged for baggage??? Jet Blue used to be my Go to, until they bowed to “industry trends” (aka greed). At least AirBus is not an airline, maybe they can teach Boeing a thing or too about handling internal safety concerns.
Maybe Robin is one of those folks who interviews well which accounts for the assignment with Airbus. Yet, he is like one of my short lived ex-managers who cannot execute and follow thru (read Virgin America & Spirit) and is dismissed in short order.
Let's hope he doesn't screw up the Mobile AL (A320 & A220) and Mirabel, Canada (A220) assembly operations, plus coordinating with P&W and GE for aircraft engines.
Also, I...
Maybe Robin is one of those folks who interviews well which accounts for the assignment with Airbus. Yet, he is like one of my short lived ex-managers who cannot execute and follow thru (read Virgin America & Spirit) and is dismissed in short order.
Let's hope he doesn't screw up the Mobile AL (A320 & A220) and Mirabel, Canada (A220) assembly operations, plus coordinating with P&W and GE for aircraft engines.
Also, I share the concern of the “the advice of [his] doctor” comment. Airbus needs to install an app on his phone to monitor his health each hour. I'm sure Airbus had a depth chart like a football coach and has a replacement ready in the wings at a moment's notice.
I'm sure Ms Joanna wishes him well....not! =:-(
Considering how much I hate both JetBlue and Airbus, I'm perfectly happy to see the guy who ran the former into the ground now running the latter. I won't say he'll be running it into the ground since that's a little insensitive when it comes to planes.
You sound rational and completely well adjusted.
As a customer I feel he did a lousy job developing JB. The culture deteriorated under him. He was just focused on money, mergers and not at all on strong customer service, condition of planes, staff floundering with little support. He pursued mergers most would say would not work. Left JB suddenly for health reasons and now has recovered for money lol. After making this huge mess and leaving JB to pay his negotiated debt he is no loss
Credit when it's due.
He was actually doing a good job with B6 until COVID hits.
How?
* The airline consistently had the lowest margins on TCON routes regardless of destination or competitors,
* It struggles to further monetize its incredibly limited FFP,
* It generally cannot connect passengers within any region of the country other than the northeast and a few select markets within FL+CA, and
* Its stock has been on a consistent downward slope since 2015-- the year he took the...
How?
* The airline consistently had the lowest margins on TCON routes regardless of destination or competitors,
* It struggles to further monetize its incredibly limited FFP,
* It generally cannot connect passengers within any region of the country other than the northeast and a few select markets within FL+CA, and
* Its stock has been on a consistent downward slope since 2015-- the year he took the helm.
So exactly what is this "good job," and how is it being measured?
Well, if you can't even determine that from their stock then there is nothing more I need to address.
The stock's been sh!t overall, underneath this guy... so I have no idea what you're talking about.
Apparently, neither do you.
Ben, Life Advice: NEVER believe any press release that says someone is leaving work for health or family reasons. NEVER. The fact you are even remotely puzzled is not good. When I read the original press release I knew his health was in great shape, just by the fact they said he had a health problem. People with REAL health problems don't lead with it as an excuse. Robin is a wiener squish.
As for...
Ben, Life Advice: NEVER believe any press release that says someone is leaving work for health or family reasons. NEVER. The fact you are even remotely puzzled is not good. When I read the original press release I knew his health was in great shape, just by the fact they said he had a health problem. People with REAL health problems don't lead with it as an excuse. Robin is a wiener squish.
As for Airbus, could it be 'payback' or 'quid pro quo'? He spent a lot of shareholder money on Airbus merchandise and wanted to buy Spirit for Airbus planes. He put JB and Spirit (and apparently his health, oh wait, remember my rule above, don't believe that) interests behind sending checks to Airbus. He won't be at AB long. It's just a 'legal' way to give someone a kickback. Airbus and Robin are welcome to sue me for defamation if they want, bring it.
I was going to give my theory but Steve did it much better.
Most definitely an under-the-table arrangement that would allow him to retire with another 8 digit sum in 18-24 months. Sad but common.
My guess is he bet his job on the Spirit acquisition and when he and the BOD got a heads up on the judge’s decision, he was allowed to graciously depart on his own terms.
I'll never understand how people like this, so commonly manage to fail upwards.
Heck, give *me* an $11million severance, for screwing things up.... I'll take on ANY company.
Too bad B6 failed to have a "claw back" feature in its employment contract with Mr Robin. It would have gotten all the $11million and then some punitive money as well for how badly he ran the airline. What a "muck" up!!
He left a mess at JetBlue and said it was health. I think he was more worried about the "health" of JetBlue ❤️
Did y'all forget that money talks?
"Hayes has been in the industry for 35 years, most recently having spent 19 years at JetBlue, where he served as CEO for nine years."
Robin wasn't at B6 for 19 years; he was with BA before he became B6 CEO.
He's obviously spent his gardening leave improving his health, working on a plan to maintain it, and learning the ropes at Airbus. The company obviously thinks he has the skills, experience, and network to do the job, or they wouldn't be wasting their time.
the most interesting part is that he said he left B6 due to health issues but yet he seems to be well enough to go to work for Airbus.
looks like all of his experience is with airlines so will be interesting to see how well he transitions to selling planes esp. to a number of his former competitors. Seems like basing him somewhere else in the world would have been better for Airbus