JetBlue Airways President and CEO Dave Barger Honored as Transportation Innovator by the White House "Champions of Change" Series

NEW YORK, July 31, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- JetBlue Airways' (Nasdaq: JBLU) President and CEO Dave Barger was honored today by the White House as a Transportation Innovator in the "Champions of Change" series for his leadership in the joint Federal Aviation Administration-industry effort to implement the Next-Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen) airspace modernization program. U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood kicked off the day's events and recognized Mr. Barger, among other Champions, as leaders that exemplify extraordinary leadership successes in the growth and expansion of the transportation industry at the local, state or regional level.

"It's a privilege and an honor to be selected by Champions of Change and on behalf of our more than 14,000 crewmembers, we look forward to continued innovation and success with our industry partners as we work towards the common goal of safely and efficiently improving our National Airspace System for the traveling public," said Mr. Barger. "By creating new procedures and shorter flying routes that increase traffic flow predictability, we will provide more dependable travel and fewer delays for customers while simultaneously reducing fuel consumption and our environmental impact."

To further advance its active role in upgrading the nation's air traffic control system, JetBlue partnered with the FAA to provide data and conduct real-time operational evaluations for NextGen.  Through FAA-funding, the airline will equip up to 35 of its A320 planes with Automatic Dependent Surveillance Broadcast (ADS-B) Out avionics that will provide air traffic controllers with precise positioning of the aircraft using GPS satellite signals, enabling the aircraft to fly more direct routes off the East Coast.

JetBlue became the first Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)-certified carrier in the United States to utilize new satellite-based Special (Non-Public) Required Navigation Performance Authorization Required (RNP AR) approaches to Runways 13L and 13R at its home base at New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport with its fleet of Airbus A320 aircraft in June of this year.  The airline is the first and remains the only Airbus A320 operator in the country to receive FAA authorization for RNP AR approaches, followed by RNP AR certification for its entire fleet of Embraer E190 aircraft.  JetBlue's entire cadre of more than 2,300 pilots are trained and certified to fly RNP AR procedures across the National Airspace System. 

In addition to his role as Chief Executive Officer for New York's Hometown Airline, Dave Barger also serves as the Chairman of the NextGen Advisory Committee (NAC), a policy-level Federal advisory committee tasked with creating consensus for NextGen priorities based on the program's capabilities and constraints. He has also served on the Department of Transportation's Future of Aviation Advisory Committee (FAAC), providing information, advice, and recommendations to the Secretary of Transportation on ensuring the competitiveness of the U.S. aviation industry and its capability to address the evolving transportation needs, challenges, and opportunities of the global economy.

The White House Champions of Change program highlights the stories and examples of citizens across the country who are "Building an America to Last" with projects and initiatives that move their communities forward. Each week, the White House Office of Public Engagement hosts an event to honor those who are working to empower and inspire other members of their communities.

About JetBlue Airways       
JetBlue is New York's Hometown Airline™ with other focus cities in Boston, Fort Lauderdale, Los Angeles, Orlando and San Juan. Known for its award-winning service and free TV as much as its low fares, JetBlue offers the most legroom in coach of any U.S. airline (based on average fleet-wide seat pitch)  as well as super-spacious Even More Space seats. JetBlue is also America's first and only airline to offer its own Customer Bill of Rights, with meaningful and specific compensation for customers inconvenienced by service disruptions within JetBlue's control. Visit www.jetblue.com/promise for details. JetBlue serves 71 cities with 800 daily flights and plans to launch service to Providence, Rhode Island, as well as Cartagena, Colombia; Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands; and Samana, Dominican Republic this November, subject to receipt of government approval. With JetBlue, all seats are assigned, all fares are one-way, and an overnight stay is never required. For information call +1 800-538-2583 (TTY/TDD +1 800-336-5530) from the USA, or visit www.jetblue.com.

SOURCE JetBlue Airways