JetBlue exec's new title

Russell Chew, who was made JetBlue Airways Corp.'s chief operating officer in March after the airline suffered embarrassing delays that stranded thousands at Kennedy Airport, was named yesterday to also be president of the discount carrier.

Chew, 54, will hold both titles and report to David Barger, the company's chief executive. Barger, JetBlue's previous president, was promoted to chief executive in May, replacing David Neeleman, who had founded the airline in 1999.

Neeleman, now JetBlue's chairman, left the chief executive post weeks after the Feb. 14 meltdown, when the airline canceled more than 1,000 flights during the ice storm, stranding thousands of passengers at Kennedy.

JetBlue said Chew, who had worked for American Airlines and spent four years with the Federal Aviation Administration, will work with Barger "to execute the company's vision and strategic plan."