He is a licensed aircraft dispatcher and commercial pilot, and has experience as an aircraft maintenance technician with the Arizona Air National Guard.
JetBlue Airways, an American low-cost airline announced that the company has appointed Steve Olson as the new vice president, system operations. Steve Olson will report to Joanna Geraghty who is JetBlue’s president and chief operating officer. Steve completed his graduation from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and is a licensed aircraft dispatcher and commercial pilot. Steve Olson brings to JetBlue 14 years of experience as an aircraft maintenance technician with the Arizona Air National Guard.
“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,” said Joanna Geraghty, JetBlue president and chief operating officer. “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,” she further added.
Steve Olson joins JetBlue Airways from American Airlines which has the world’s largest airline when measured by fleet size. Steve currently serves as managing director of the American Airlines’ integrated operation center with oversight of nearly 6,000 daily American and American Eagle flights across the globe.
“It’s an honor to be joining the JetBlue system operations team as the company continues on its expansion path,” said Steve Olson, Managing Director, American Airlines’ integrated operation center. “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,” he further added.
Steve Olson began his career in commercial aviation as a frontline customer service representative with the America West. He has spent nearly two decades at American Airlines and its predecessors US Airways and America West. Steve Olson has previously led the carrier’s integrated operations center as well as its Phoenix hub.
“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,” said Robin Hayes, JetBlue’s chief executive officer. “His passion for taking care of our customers and crewmembers on every flight will leave a lasting mark on JetBlue,” he further added.
Before Steve Olson joined as Vice President, Alex Battaglia led JetBlue’s system operations and airport teams. Alex will be retiring from JetBlue after more than 15 years with the company where he held a number of leadership roles and after completing nearly 40 years in the airline industry.
“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,” said Peter Boneparth, chairman of JetBlue’s board of directors. “Alex has been a champion for our brand over the years and we are grateful for his passion and dedication to JetBlue,” he further added.
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JetBlue was incorporated in Delaware, U.S. in August 1998 with its headquarters in Forest Hills, Queens. David Neeleman founded the company in August 1999, under the name “NewAir”. JetBlue operates over 1,000 flights daily and serves 100 domestic and international network destinations in the United States, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America, South America, and Europe. JetBlue is not a member of any of the three major airline alliances but it has codeshare agreements with 21 airlines, including member airlines of Oneworld, SkyTeam, and Star Alliance.
