JetBlue confirmed today its plans to reduce several routes and frequencies both domestically and internationally, affecting three key markets in South America.
Starting June 13, jetBlue will completely cease its operations in Kansas City (MCI); Bogotá (BOG), Colombia; Quito (UIO) in Quito, Ecuador; and in Lima (LIM), Peru.
This was originally reported by TPG, citing an internal memo sent by Dave Jehn, Vice President of Planning at JetBlue.
In contact with Aviacionline, JetBlue said that they will indeed stop operating to those cities, while they also will not return to operate in Newburgh, NY.
«JetBlue is constantly evaluating our routes to best serve our customers, return our airline to profitability, and find ways to improve our reliability (…) These decisions are never easy, however, these markets have recently fallen short of our expectations,» the airline responded.
«These moves will allow us to redeploy our fleet to increase frequencies on well-performing routes from JetBlue’s focus cities while continuing to increase crucial ground time for our aircraft, reducing the chance of delays for our customers. The changes will also help us during a time when aircraft availability is limited – particularly with some of our aircraft grounded due to Pratt & Whitney GTF engine inspections,» they explained.
Precisely, Jehn had said in the internal communication that «these markets are not profitable, and our flight time can be better utilized elsewhere.»
JetBlue currently connects Bogotá, Quito, and Lima with Fort Lauderdale (FLL), which not only provided direct access to South American destinations but also served as connection points to other destinations within the United States through its network.
The airline will continue flying in South America from Fort Lauderdale to Guayaquil and Medellín; as well as New York to Georgetown, Guayaquil, and Cartagena.
Furthermore, JetBlue will also cut several routes from Los Angeles (LAX) to destinations such as Las Vegas (LAS), Miami (MIA), Reno-Tahoe (RNO), San Francisco (SFO), and Seattle-Tacoma (SEA), Liberia (LIR) in Costa Rica, Cancún (CUN) and Puerto Vallarta (PVR) in Mexico. These adjustments are due to the lack of sufficient slots at LAX and the anticipated reliance on the merger with Spirit Airlines.
Other affected routes include flights between Tampa (TPA) and Aguadilla (BQN), Puerto Rico; New York (JFK) and Detroit (DTW); and between Orlando (MCO) and Salt Lake City (SLT).
«More than ever, every route has to earn its right to stay in the network,» Jehn concluded.
These route cuts occur just two weeks after the merger deal between Spirit and JetBlue fell through. Both airlines are seeking to reorganize and profit from key markets amid financial and operational challenges.
