Executive Appointments & Leadership Moves News

nasawatch.com • Keith Cowing

Senate confirms billionaire private astronaut Jared Isaacman as NASA administrator

The U.S. Senate voted 67–30 to confirm billionaire private astronaut Jared Isaacman as NASA administrator, installing an ally of SpaceX CEO Elon Musk and a prominent advocate of Mars missions. His appointment ends a year of acting leadership and a turbulent, twice‑renewed nomination process.

2025-12-17T12:30:15.363024-08:00

Aviation Source

Spirit and Frontier Resume Merger Talks as Spirit Seeks Rescue in Chapter 11

2025-12-16T15:19:47.808470-08:00

Vertical Mag

Archer opens UK subsidiary and Southwest engineering hub to pursue defence market

2025-12-16T07:29:01.352869-08:00

CNBC

Frontier CEO Barry Biffle steps down after 11 years; James G. Dempsey named interim CEO

2025-12-15T14:00:34.090202-08:00

Executive Appointments & Leadership Moves News Timeline

CNBC

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Delta President Glen Hauenstein to retire Feb. 28, 2026 after two decades leading carrier’s premium strategy Delta Air Lines president Glen Hauenstein will retire on Feb. 28, 2026, concluding more than 20 years overseeing the carrier’s premium-product and network strategy. Long viewed as CEO Ed Bastian’s heir apparent, Hauenstein was central to Delta’s evolution into a U.S. premium and profitability leader.

2025-12-17T13:27:28.269923-08:00

Delta President Glen Hauenstein to retire Feb. 28, 2026 after two decades leading carrier’s premium strategy

nasawatch.com

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Senate confirms billionaire private astronaut Jared Isaacman as NASA administrator The U.S. Senate voted 67–30 to confirm billionaire private astronaut Jared Isaacman as NASA administrator, installing an ally of SpaceX CEO Elon Musk and a prominent advocate of Mars missions. His appointment ends a year of acting leadership and a turbulent, twice‑renewed nomination process.

2025-12-17T12:30:15.363024-08:00

Senate confirms billionaire private astronaut Jared Isaacman as NASA administrator

ch-aviation

Air Transat rejects shareholder push to call extraordinary meeting for board changes Air Transat has rebuffed a shareholder effort to convene an extraordinary meeting aimed at forcing board changes, blocking calls for an immediate governance overhaul and replacement of directors. The decision halts proponents’ attempt to secure seats and trigger a strategic review.

2025-12-17T08:10:02.476983-08:00

Air Transat rejects shareholder push to call extraordinary meeting for board changes

Bloomberg

Eric Schmidt takes control of Relativity Space as 3D‑printing plan falters Eric Schmidt has taken control of Relativity Space after the launch‑vehicle startup struggled to scale its 3D‑printing approach, suffering a sustained cash burn and operational setbacks. The move marks a strategic reset as the founder's original manufacturing vision is being sidelined.

2025-12-17T04:10:28.572754-08:00

Eric Schmidt takes control of Relativity Space as 3D‑printing plan falters

Aviation Source

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Spirit and Frontier Resume Merger Talks as Spirit Seeks Rescue in Chapter 11 Spirit Airlines is in renewed merger talks with fellow ULCC Frontier Group Holdings as it navigates a Chapter 11 restructuring; people familiar say a deal — which could be announced this month — might rescue Spirit from insolvency, though negotiations remain fragile and could still collapse.

2025-12-16T15:19:47.808470-08:00

Spirit and Frontier Resume Merger Talks as Spirit Seeks Rescue in Chapter 11

Breaking Defense

Air Mobility Command chief Gen. John D. Lamontagne nominated as U.S. Air Force vice chief; Brig. Gen. Eason tapped as JAG President Trump nominated Air Mobility Command commander Gen. John D. Lamontagne as vice chief of staff of the U.S. Air Force, filling a post vacant since February after prior removals. The administration also nominated Brig. Gen. Eason to be judge advocate general; both nominations require Senate confirmation.

2025-12-16T10:49:47.522479-08:00

Air Mobility Command chief Gen. John D. Lamontagne nominated as U.S. Air Force vice chief; Brig. Gen. Eason tapped as JAG

Aviation Week

Kenya Airways board declines to renew Allan Kilavuka’s contract; COO George Kamal named acting CEO Kenya Airways' board has declined to renew Allan Kilavuka’s contract and he has stepped down from active duty, proceeding on terminal leave ahead of contract expiry after a six‑year term. The carrier has appointed COO George Kamal as acting CEO effective 16 December and begun a search for a successor.

2025-12-16T09:35:57.187852-08:00

Kenya Airways board declines to renew Allan Kilavuka’s contract; COO George Kamal named acting CEO

Vertical Mag

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Archer opens UK subsidiary and Southwest engineering hub to pursue defence market Archer Aviation is establishing a UK subsidiary and an engineering hub in Southwest England to support its eVTOL development and target the UK defence market. The company is recruiting senior vertical‑flight engineering talent — Dr Limhi Somerville is due to join in early 2026.

2025-12-16T07:29:01.352869-08:00

Archer opens UK subsidiary and Southwest engineering hub to pursue defence market

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Hype's Leadership section provides a curated selection of news and in-depth analysis on the trailblazers and decision-makers in the aviation, defense, and space industries. This collection includes detailed coverage of leadership changes, executive appointments, and the strategic directions set by the industry's top figures, offering a clear view of the personalities driving aerospace innovation and corporate dynamics.