JetBlue appears wanting to go toe-to-toe with the ultra-low-cost carriers.
The New York-based provider introduced Thursday that it plans to launch year-round flights from San Juan, Puerto Rico, to Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina, together with flights between Aguadilla, Puerto Rico and Tampa — and each routes the place JetBlue will go compete immediately with Frontier Airways.
JetBlue mentioned it needs to develop its presence in San Juan, which is already a spotlight metropolis for the provider, and enhance competitors for flights to Aguadilla. The provider additionally has a big presence in Puerto Rico, working a mean of 35 departures a day from the U.S. territory.
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Nonetheless, JetBlue’s route from Luis Munoz Marín Worldwide Airport (SJU) to Raleigh-Durham Worldwide Airport (RDU) is extra of a return than a very new providing. The New York-based provider flew between SJU and RDU from November 2020 via January 2022 however axed the route amid pandemic-related cuts.
Now, JetBlue is restoring the route as ultra-low-cost rival Frontier expands its footprint within the east — and throughout markets the place JetBlue is robust. Additionally, JetBlue’s addition of Tampa-Aguadilla flights comes solely about three months after Frontier introduced plans to start its personal service on the route.
“This progress will enhance competitors and selection for patrons touring to and from Puerto Rico and for vacationers in Raleigh and Tampa, whereas additionally constructing on our dedication to help tourism on the island and join household and mates,” JetBlue CEO Robin Hayes mentioned in an announcement.
JetBlue mentioned its proposed merger with Spirit — which can be robust in Puerto Rico — would permit the provider to “unlock long-term progress alternatives” there, promising that it could possibly nonetheless ship low fares and develop journey choices for patrons within the U.S. territory.
Nonetheless, the announcement of recent routes to Puerto Rico comes as JetBlue faces a lawsuit from the U.S. Division of Justice, which seeks to dam its deliberate $3.8 billion acquisition of Spirit Airways, the most important ultra-low-cost provider within the U.S. The Justice Division sued JetBlue for the acquisition in March to forestall additional consolidation of the airline trade, arguing that such an acquisition would trigger airfare to rise within the U.S.
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Given the DOJ’s swimsuit to dam the proposed merger, it is unclear what the prospects are for the merger to succeed. For now, JetBlue and Spirit will proceed to function as separate opponents.
Right here is the schedule for JetBlue’s latest flights to and from Puerto Rico:
Between RDU and SDU:
- Departs RDU at 9 a.m. and lands in SDU at 12:35 p.m., all occasions native.
- Departs from SDU at 1:45 p.m. and lands in RDU at 5:30 p.m., all occasions native.
Between Tampa Worldwide Airport (TPA) and Rafael Hernandez Worldwide Airport (BQN):
- Departs from TPA at 12:05 p.m. and lands in BQN at 2:57 p.m., all occasions native.
- Departs from BQN at 3:50 p.m. and lands in TPA at 6:36 p.m., all occasions native.
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