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JetBlue, Icahn Reach Deal to Give Activist Two Board Seats

  • Pact heads off proxy fight over money-losing carrier’s future
  • Airline future in flux after Spirit Air deal blocked by US

Carl Icahn

Photographer: Victor J. Blue/Bloomberg

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JetBlue Airways Corp. agreed to give two board seats to Carl Icahn, heading off a potential proxy fight after the activist investor revealed a nearly 10% stake in the carrier.

Jesse Lynn, general counsel of Icahn Enterprises, and Steven Miller, portfolio manager with Icahn Capital, will join the carrier’s board, JetBlue said in a statementBloomberg Terminal Friday. The duo will serve initially as non-voting observers before gaining full voting rights after JetBlue’s annual shareholder meeting this spring, the company said. Their addition will expand the airline’s board to 13 members.