Government Contractors | Technology 2025: HAYES, ROBIN

Hayes began his career in aviation by delivering duty-free items to passengers at Boston’s Logan International Airport. In 2024, he became chairman and CEO of Airbus Americas, leading European corporation Airbus SE’s commercial aircraft business and coordinating among its helicopter, space and defense businesses in North America. Hayes was previously JetBlue’s CEO.

Hayes took on Airbus’ North American operations as the company aims to win business from Arlington-based competitor Boeing, which has been beset by a string of safety woes in recent years, including the June 12 crash of a Boeing 787-Dreamliner operated by Air India that killed at least 270 people.

In 2024, Airbus delivered 766 commercial aircraft. It reported revenues of $81.5 billion, up from $65.4 billion the year prior. Hayes has warned that tariffs imposed by the Trump administration could ground the aerospace industry supply chain.

Hayes grew up in London and earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in engineering from the University of Bath. He joined British Airways in 1989, rising to become its executive vice president for the Americas before joining JetBlue in 2008. He served as the airline’s CEO from 2015 to 2024.