Robin Hayes selected to lead Airbus in North America. Airbus SE (stock exchange symbol: AIR) has announced that C. Jeffrey Knittel will retire as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Airbus Americas, Inc. effective June 3, 2024. Knittel has served as the region’s top executive since 2018 and will remain with Airbus during a transition period. Robin Hayes, former CEO of JetBlue Airways, has been chosen to succeed him.
Hayes brings 35 years of global aerospace leadership to Airbus, having held senior executive roles at British Airways during his 19-year tenure and serving as JetBlue’s CEO for nine years. From 2020 to 2022, Hayes chaired the IATA’s Board of Governors, where he advocated for the association’s commitment to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050. Hayes will report to Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury.
Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury expressed his excitement about welcoming Robin to Airbus and looks forward to leveraging his extensive industry experience to achieve strategic objectives in the region and further expand the company’s North American presence. Faury thanked Knittel for his contributions to Airbus’ success and wished him a fulfilling retirement.
As Chairman and CEO, Hayes will lead Airbus’s commercial aircraft business and coordinate with the company’s helicopters, space, and defense businesses in North America. The region currently employs over 10,000 Airbus staff across 50 sites. Airbus also spends $15 billion annually with more than 2,000 U.S. suppliers in over 40 states.
Robin Hayes expressed his enthusiasm for joining Airbus after some time off and praised Jeff and the Airbus team for their leadership in the Americas. He views the opportunity to join Airbus as an honor and is committed to contributing to the company’s commitment to pioneer sustainable aerospace, an effort he is personally motivated by.
Under Knittel’s leadership, Airbus has expanded its presence in the Americas and doubled the region’s commercial aircraft deliveries. Knittel, who brought 40 years of aviation finance, leasing, and manufacturing experience to Airbus, previously served as President of CIT Aerospace and CIT Transportation Finance.
In Conclusion – Robin Hayes selected to lead Airbus in North America
Knittel expressed his pride in the team’s accomplishments during his tenure, highlighting the significant increase in revenues, market share growth, and expansion of the company’s presence and operational footprint across all three Airbus businesses. He believes that Robin’s vast aviation experience, knowledge, and industry relationships make him the right choice to lead Airbus into the future.
America has just reminded us there is only one world superpower