Carl Icahn reports JetBlue stake, calls shares undervalued

Activist investor Carl Icahn on Monday reported a nearly 10% stake in JetBlue Airways, saying the airline stock is undervalued. Shares of JetBlue spiked more than 15% in extended trading.

Icahn amassed the stake in a series of purchases in January and February, according to regulatory filings. He has had and plans to continue discussions with the company “regarding the possibility of board representation,” the records said.

JetBlue said in a statement, “We are always open to constructive dialogue with our investors as we continue to execute our plan to enhance value for all of our shareholders and stakeholders.”

Representatives for Icahn were not immediately available to comment.

This is not Icahn’s first investment involving the airline industry. In one of his more infamous activist campaigns, the corporate raider took TWA  private in late 1980s, only to see the airline struggle and file for bankruptcy.

JetBlue has been cutting costs and working to improve operations in an effort to return to profitability after a post-Covid travel surge and a blocked merger with budget carrier Spirit Airlines. Its new CEO, Joanna Geraghty, took the helm Monday, and the carrier has appointed a pair of airline veterans to get it back on track.

— CNBC’s John Melloy and Leslie Josephs contributed to this report.

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