JetBlue Airways pushes out Neelman as CEO

JetBlue Airways yesterday pushed out founder David Neeleman as chief executive three months after a service meltdown.

JetBlue said he would carry on as non-executive chairman playing a more strategic role.

The budget carrier replaced Neeleman, 47, with president and chief operating officer Dave Barger, 49, effective immediately.

The sudden change in leadership comes after a Valentine's Day ice storm stranded passengers on planes for hours, led to nearly 1200 flight cancellations over several days, and cost the company more than US$30 million ($41 million).