JetBlue appointed Steve Olson as its new vice president of system operations, as Alex Battaglia is retiring from JetBlue after more than 15 years leading its system operations and airports teams. Olson will report to Joanna Geraghty, president and chief operating officer of JetBlue.

Olson will join JetBlue from American Airlines, where he currently serves as managing director of the carrier’s integrated operation center and has oversight of nearly 6,000 daily American and American Eagle flights across the globe. He has spent more than 15 years with American — and its predecessors, US Airways and America West — leading the carrier’s integrated operations center as well as its Phoenix hub. Olson began in commercial aviation as a frontline customer service representative with America West. He is also a licensed aircraft dispatcher and commercial pilot and has 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,” Geraghty said. “As we continue to expand and evolve JetBlue’s operations, Steve’s leadership will play a big part in ensuring our crew members 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.”

“It’s an honor to be joining the JetBlue system operations team as the company continues on its expansion path,” Olson said. “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.”

Battaglia is retiring from JetBlue after more than 15 years with the company in multiple leadership roles and after more than 35 years in the airline industry.

“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,” Robin Hayes, CEO of JetBlue, said. “His passion for taking care of our customers and crew members on every flight will leave a lasting mark on JetBlue.”

“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,” Peter Boneparth, chairman of  the board of directors at JetBlue, said. “Alex has been a champion for our brand over the years and we are grateful for his passion and dedication to JetBlue.”