US carrier JetBlue has announced that current president and chief operating officer Joanna Geraghty will succeed Robin Hayes as CEO from next month.
Geraghty will take over as CEO on 12 February with Hayes serving as a strategic advisor to JetBlue “over the coming months”.
Hayes, who has been the airline’s CEO since 2015, said: “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 crew members and customers.”
Geraghty first joined JetBlue in 2005 and has been in her current COO role since 2018. In 2020, she was named as one of BTN's 25 Most Influential people in business travel.
JetBlue is currently awaiting the ruling in the US Department of Justice lawsuit to block its intended merger with Spirit Airlines, which it agreed to acquire in July 2022 for $3.8 billion.