Summary
- JetBlue’s latest CEO Joanna Geraghty faces the challenge of improving operational reliability and reducing costs with a purpose to compete with other airlines.
- Financial struggles have hindered JetBlue’s profitability, and the airline may not return to profitability until 2025.
- Despite these challenges, JetBlue has made trailblazing moves, similar to expanding transatlantic flights and receiving industry praise for his or her Mint cabin.
JetBlue’s latest CEO, Joanna Geraghty, has now taken the reins of the low-cost carrier. Geraghty formally began working within the role on Monday, February twelfth, becoming the primary female airline CEO within the US.
Operational and financial costs to beat
Geraghty has her work cut out. In recent times, JetBlue has struggled with operational reliability and value. In accordance with a study by the US Department of Transportation published by CNBC, only 67% of its flights arrived on time within the period January to November 2023.
This put the airline in ninth place nationally, and way behind the likes of Delta Air Lines (83%), Alaska Airlines (81%), and American Airlines (78%), which occupy the highest three positions. Congested airspace within the Recent York City area has played an element in causing operational disruption on the carrier’s largest hub at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK).
Photo: Bradley Caslin | Shutterstock
In addition to facing operational difficulties, the airline has also struggled financially, and is one among the few US carriers yet to return to profitability following the pandemic. Despite the post-pandemic boom in air travel nationwide and internationally, JetBlue is just not expected to return to profitability until 2025, which has hampered the airline’s share price over recent months. A part of JetBlue’s cost-saving plan will see unprofitable routes being cut and putting a greater give attention to premium leisure travel to drive higher yields.
Photo: JetBlue
In terms of facing JetBlue’s operational and financial challenges, appointing Geraghty because the airline’s CEO is a logical alternative. She isn’t any stranger to JetBlue, having worked on the airline for nearly 20 years, most recently as President and Chief Operating Officer. Her experience will make her already acquainted with the complexities of running an operation as large as JetBlue’s, carrying greater than 40 million passengers per 12 months.
Carrying JetBlue forward into 2024 and beyond
Yet despite the above-mentioned challenges, JetBlue can still be considered trailblazing in some ways. For instance, the airline began operating transatlantic flights in 2021, and today flies to London (LHR and LGW), Amsterdam (AMS), and Paris (CDG). Later this 12 months, the carrier can even launch services to each Dublin (DUB) and Edinburgh (EDI). JetBlue’s tackle premium travel, its Mint cabin, has also won praise from across the industry.
Photo: JetBlue
After JetBlue’s $3.8 billion merger with Spirit Airlines was blocked by a federal judge last month, Geraghty might want to refocus the airline, and she or he might be joined by an experienced team to support her. Taking Geraghty’s place as President might be Marty St. George, who will rejoin the carrier after leaving in 2019 to work as Chief Industrial Officer at LATAM. St. George also has a wealth of experience from previous roles at US Airways and United Airlines. Meanwhile, Warren Christie, JetBlue’s former Head of Safety, Security, Fleet Operations, and Airports, will assume the role of Chief Operating Officer.
![A JetBlue Embraer 190 on the apron at New York JFK airport.](https://static1.simpleflyingimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/shutterstock_1734290315.jpg)
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What do you’re thinking that of Joanna Geraghty being appointed the brand new CEO of JetBlue? What impact do you’re thinking that she’s going to have on the carrier’s future? Share your thoughts by commenting below.