JetBlue sells off startup investment arm to focus on ‘core airline operations’
In a bid to focus on “core airline operations” US airline JetBlue has sold off its startup investment division, JetBlue Ventures, to SKY Leasing.
The New York-based carrier announced on May 5, 2025, that despite the sale it would “continue to serve as a strategic partner” to JetBlue Ventures and its portfolio companies.
Founded in 2016, JetBlue Ventures has invested in 55 early-stage startups and made over 40 follow-on investments, which have resulted in eight exits in the form of acquisitions and public offerings.
JetBlue said that US aircraft lessor SKY Leasing will help “usher in the next era of growth” for JetBlue Ventures.
“We founded JetBlue Ventures to invest in, incubate, and partner with early-stage startups that would shape the future of travel, and by all measures it’s been an incredible success. As we look at the needs of our airline today, we are fully focused on our JetForward strategy to get JetBlue back to profitability and set us up for long-term success as we compete against the legacy carriers,” said Joanna Geraghty, CEO, JetBlue.
Geraghty added: “This transaction enables us to focus on our core airline operations, while maintaining our access to the innovations and opportunities of current and future portfolio companies through our ongoing strategic partnership with JetBlue Ventures.”
JetBlue Ventures will continue to manage all current and future investments, with JetBlue continuing to hold positions in all existing portfolio companies.
“We are thrilled to welcome JetBlue Ventures into the SKY family. Through our aviation partnerships around the world, we are witnessing firsthand the rapid advancements and innovations in the travel industry, and as a long-term partner to JetBlue, we have consistently admired JetBlue Ventures’ track record of nurturing these groundbreaking technologies,” said Matthew Crawford, Co-Chief Investment Officer at SKY Leasing.
Crawford added: “This transaction is a natural evolution of our partnership and will provide us, our investors, and our global aviation partners with direct access to the cutting-edge innovations and technologies shaping the future of travel.”
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In a bid to focus on “core airline operations” US airline JetBlue has sold off its startup investment…
The post JetBlue sells off startup investment arm to focus on ‘core airline operations’ appeared first on AeroTime.
