WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Former JetBlue Airways CEO Robin Hayes has been named as the new head of Airbus' operations in North America, the European planemaker said Monday.

Airbus said C. Jeffrey Knittel is retiring as chairman and CEO of Airbus Americas effective June 3. Hayes will take over after he stepped down in February after nine years as CEO of JetBlue. Hayes will lead Airbus' commercial aircraft business in North America, and will have responsibility for coordination among the company's helicopters, space and defense businesses in the Americas, Airbus said.

(Reporting by David Shepardson)