JetBlue to defer 18 Airbus aircraft order; announces new plan to drive returns

JetBlue Airways has outlined a long-term plan to drive shareholder returns through new and existing initiatives that are expected to collectively generate more than $400 million in annual operating income on a run rate basis beginning in 2017. JetBlue has deferred 18 Airbus aircraft scheduled for delivery from 2016-2018 to 2022-2023 in a bid to reduce capital expenditures by more than $900 million through 2017 and allow the airline to optimize its fleet to better match capacity with demand. Robin Hayes, JetBlue’s President, said: “We believe the plan laid out today benefits our three key stakeholders. It delivers improved, sustainable