JetBlue CEO Dave Barger To Retire In Feb, Robin Hayes To Succeed; Shares Up

(RTTNews) - JetBlue Airways Corp. (JBLU) Thursday said Chief Executive Dave Barger will retire in February and current President Robin Hayes will take over the reins of the discount carrier. Shares of the company gained five percent on the news.

Barger will serve on the JetBlue Board of Directors until February 15 and Hayes is expected to join the Board on February 16.

Hayes, a former British Airways executive, had joined JetBlue in 2008 and was named President in 2013.

JetBlue's Chairman Joel Peterson said, "Robin is a highly talented and experienced airline executive who understands JetBlue's culture and strategy. During his time as Chief Commercial Officer and President, Robin proved he is the right leader to take JetBlue into the future."

JBLU closed Thursday's trading at $1.33, up $0.13 or 1.16%, on the Nasdaq. The stock further gained $0.62 or 5.47%, in the after-hours trade.