Airbus has announced the appointment of Robin Hayes as the new CEO of its North America division, effective June 2023. Hayes, a veteran of the aviation sector, joins Airbus from JetBlue, where he served as the CEO for nine years until February 2023.
Hayes will succeed C. Jeffrey Knittel, who has led Airbus’ North American operations since 2018. Knittel will remain with the company during the transition period.
With over three decades of experience in the aviation industry, Hayes brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to his new role. Prior to his tenure at JetBlue, he held various senior executive positions at British Airways. Hayes also served as the Chair of the International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) Board of Governors from 2020 to 2022, advocating for the industry’s commitment to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
In his new role, Hayes will oversee Airbus’ commercial, helicopter, space, and defense businesses in North America, leading a team of over 10,000 employees across 50 sites. His responsibilities will include managing Airbus’ growing business in the region, which includes an annual expenditure of $15 billion with more than 2,000 US suppliers in over 40 states.
Hayes’ appointment reflects Airbus’ commitment to strengthening its presence in the North American commercial market. Airbus has a significant customer base in the region, including Delta, Spirit, and JetBlue, and Hayes will seek to expand Airbus’ reach among other major carriers. He will also focus on contributing to Airbus’ sustainability initiatives and driving them forward.
