NEW YORK, Nov. 6, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- JetBlue Airways (Nasdaq:JBLU) today announces the appointment of Charles "Duffy" Mees to the position of Vice President, Chief Information Officer, effective immediately.
Mr. Mees joined JetBlue in August 2006 as Vice President, Chief Technology Officer, responsible for the design and implementation of the low-fare airline's solutions to create efficiencies while improving the customers' and crewmembers' experience. In this new role, Mr. Mees assumes responsibility for companywide information technology projects and operations, spanning all systems, networks, servers, datacenters, desktops, and devices. Mr. Mees will report to the airline's Founder and CEO, David Neeleman.
"Duffy's experience creating and continually improving the information infrastructure at prior companies will help JetBlue grow our market advantage in this very important realm," said Mr. Neeleman. "Today, JetBlue customers and crewmembers benefit from an innovative and fresh approach to information technology, and we can look forward to improving and refreshing the JetBlue Experience through technology as we grow the airline."
Mr. Mees succeeds Todd Thompson, who had served JetBlue as Chief Information Officer since joining the company in December 2003.
"We wish Todd all the best in his career," said Mr. Neeleman. "Todd was instrumental in building the foundation of our IT Team, and we especially appreciate his focus on implementing systems and processes that support the growth of the airline."
In the six years since its launch, JetBlue Airways has focused on creating a new airline category -- an airline that offers value, service and style. Based out of New York City, the low-cost carrier currently serves 47 destinations with up to 470 flights daily. Onboard JetBlue, customers enjoy roomy leather seats and 36 channels of free DIRECTV(r) programming (a), the most live TV available on any airline. On flights longer than two hours, a selection of first-run movies and bonus features from FOX InFlight(tm) is also available. JetBlue offers customers generous brand name snacks and beverages, including freshly brewed Dunkin' Donuts(r) coffee, and delicious wines selected by the airline's Low Fare Sommelier, Josh Wesson from Best Cellars(r). On overnight flights from the West, the airline now offers Shut-Eye Service(tm), with a comfort kit designed exclusively for JetBlue by Bliss Spa and other special amenities including a "good morning" hot towel service. With JetBlue, all seats are assigned, all travel is ticketless, all fares are one-way, and an overnight stay is never required. For information or reservations call 1-800-JETBLUE (1-800-538-2583) or visit www.jetblue.com/?source=pr.
(a) DIRECTV(r) service is not available on flights outside the continental United States; however, where applicable FOX InFlight(tm) is offered complimentary on these routes. FOX InFlight(tm) is a trademark of Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation. JetBlue's in-flight entertainment is powered by LiveTV, a wholly owned subsidiary of JetBlue.
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This press release contains statements of a forward-looking nature which represent our management's beliefs and assumptions concerning future events. Forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions, and are based on information currently available to us. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements due to many factors, including, without limitation, our extremely competitive industry; increases in fuel prices, maintenance costs and interest rates; our ability to implement our growth strategy, including the integration of the EMBRAER 190 aircraft into our operations; our significant fixed obligations; our ability to attract and retain qualified personnel and maintain our culture as we grow; our reliance on high daily aircraft utilization; our dependence on the New York metropolitan market; our reliance on automated systems and technology; our being subject to potential unionization; our reliance on a limited number of suppliers; changes in or additional government regulation; changes in our industry due to other airlines' financial condition; and external geopolitical events and conditions. Further information concerning these and other factors is contained in the Company's Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including but not limited to, the Company's 2005 Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. We undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that may arise after the date of this release.