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Spirit Airlines chooses US Air exec as its president
Low-cost carrier Spirit Airlines has chosen US Airways
By Niala Boodhoo
Business Writer
Posted January 13 2005
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/images/standard/clear.gif
Low-cost carrier Spirit Airlines has chosen US Airways marketing executive Ben Baldanza to be its new president, Spirit Chief Executive Officer Jacob Schorr said Wednesday.
Baldanza, who is set to start Jan. 24, will also be chief operating officer and in charge of day-to-day operations for Miramar-based Spirit, the largest privately held carrier in the United States.
"We focused on Ben early on as being a very bright star in this business," said Schorr, who will remain chief executive and chairman of the board. Schorr said he thought Baldanza had done great work during a "really tough" time at US Airways, which in September made its second bankruptcy protection filing in two years.
Baldanza has been with US Airways since 1999, most recently as the company's senior vice president for marketing and planning.
Reached at his home in Virginia, Baldanza said he was looking forward to working at Spirit during a time of dramatic change in the industry.
"They have a good set of fundamentals," Baldanza said. "I believe that they can be a sustainable and profitable carrier going forward, and I look forward to the idea of helping them get there."
Schorr added he thought Baldanza would not have any problems making the transition from US Airways to the low-cost culture of Spirit.
Local aviation consultant Robert Booth said he thought Baldanza would be a major asset for the discount carrier.
"He has a terrific background," said Booth, noting that Baldanza has also worked for American Airlines, Continental and Grupo Taca, a collection of carriers based in El Salvador.
A spokeswoman for US Airways declined comment beyond a statement that named Baldanza's replacement and other job shuffles.
Spirit flies to 18 destinations including Nassau, Bahamas; San Juan, Puerto Rico; Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic; and Cancun, Mexico.
Low-cost carrier Spirit Airlines has chosen US Airways
By Niala Boodhoo
Business Writer
Posted January 13 2005
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/images/standard/clear.gif
Low-cost carrier Spirit Airlines has chosen US Airways marketing executive Ben Baldanza to be its new president, Spirit Chief Executive Officer Jacob Schorr said Wednesday.
Baldanza, who is set to start Jan. 24, will also be chief operating officer and in charge of day-to-day operations for Miramar-based Spirit, the largest privately held carrier in the United States.
"We focused on Ben early on as being a very bright star in this business," said Schorr, who will remain chief executive and chairman of the board. Schorr said he thought Baldanza had done great work during a "really tough" time at US Airways, which in September made its second bankruptcy protection filing in two years.
Baldanza has been with US Airways since 1999, most recently as the company's senior vice president for marketing and planning.
Reached at his home in Virginia, Baldanza said he was looking forward to working at Spirit during a time of dramatic change in the industry.
"They have a good set of fundamentals," Baldanza said. "I believe that they can be a sustainable and profitable carrier going forward, and I look forward to the idea of helping them get there."
Schorr added he thought Baldanza would not have any problems making the transition from US Airways to the low-cost culture of Spirit.
Local aviation consultant Robert Booth said he thought Baldanza would be a major asset for the discount carrier.
"He has a terrific background," said Booth, noting that Baldanza has also worked for American Airlines, Continental and Grupo Taca, a collection of carriers based in El Salvador.
A spokeswoman for US Airways declined comment beyond a statement that named Baldanza's replacement and other job shuffles.
Spirit flies to 18 destinations including Nassau, Bahamas; San Juan, Puerto Rico; Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic; and Cancun, Mexico.
