JetBlue has appointed Steve Olson as the airline’s new Vice President, System Operations. Mr. Olson joins JetBlue from American Airlines where he serves as Managing Director of the carrier’s Integrated Operation Center with oversight of nearly 6,000 daily flights.
On Wednesday (August 24, 2022), JetBlue announced the appointment of Steve Olson as the carrier’s new Vice President – System Operations, reporting to Joanna Geraghty, JetBlue’s President and Chief Operating Officer. Mr. Olson joins JetBlue from American Airlines where he currently serves as the airline’s Managing Director of the company’s Integrated Operation Center, with oversight for nearly 6,000 daily American and American Eagle flights worldwide. Olson spent nearly two decades at American and predecessor airlines US Airways and America West, leading the Integrated Operations Center as well as the Phoenix hub. Mr. Olson began his commercial aviation career as a frontline customer service representative with America West.
In Wednesday’s announcement, JetBlue’s President and Chief Operating Officer, Joanna Geraghty, said,
“I’m excited to welcome Steve to JetBlue with his experience across so many aspects of aviation from maintenance and dispatch to the airport and the ops center. As we continue to expand and evolve JetBlue’s operations, Steve’s leadership will play a big part in ensuring our crewmembers are set up to deliver the award-winning JetBlue experience for our customers. At the same time, I want to thank Alex for his 15 years of dedication to JetBlue and his support for our crewmembers.”
Also commenting on his new role as JetBlue’s Vice President – System Operations, Steve Olson, said,
“It’s an honor to be joining the JetBlue system operations team as the company continues on its expansion path. I’m looking forward to getting to know the many crewmembers who work around the clock to ensure safe and efficient operations for JetBlue’s customers.”
In his new role, Steve Olson succeeds Alex Battaglia, who is retiring after 15 years with JetBlue and nearly 40 years in the airline industry.
Speaking on Alex Battaglia’s retirement, JetBlue’s Chief Executive Officer, Robin Hayes, said,
“Our ability to navigate the most complex and difficult aviation environment in the United States has been in large part due to Alex’s deep airline expertise. His passion for taking care of our customers and crewmembers on every flight will leave a lasting mark on JetBlue.”
JetBlue’s Chairman of the Board, Peter Boneparth, added,
“I want to thank Alex for his many contributions to JetBlue over a tremendous period of change and growth for our company as our operation has doubled in size. Alex has been a champion for our brand over the years and we are grateful for his passion and dedication to JetBlue.”
Steve Olson is a graduate of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, a licensed aircraft dispatcher and commercial pilot. He also brings 14 years of experience as a licensed aircraft maintenance technician with the Arizona Air National Guard.
JetBlue is ‘New York’s Hometown Airline®’ and a leading carrier in Boston (BOS), Fort Lauderdale (FLL), Los Angeles (LAX), Orlando (MCO) and San Juan (SJU). The airline carries guests to destinations across more than 110 destinations across the U.S., Caribbean, Latin America and the United Kingdom (London Heathrow and Gatwick). JetBlue Airways Corporation trades on the NASDAQ under the ticker symbol JBLU.
Source: JetBlue/Businesswire