JetBlue has announced plans to cut “underperforming” routes in some regions to shift its focus to flights to Florida.
The change comes as Florida-based Spirit Airlines abruptly ceased all operations on May 2, leaving a gap open in the market for JetBlue to grab.
The airline told Business Insider last week that it would cease 11 of its “underperforming” routes this summer to focus on business in Fort Lauderdale.
The change means JetBlue will no longer have any flights out of New Hampshire’s Manchester-Boston Regional Airport.
Several routes from Hartford, Connecticut, and Providence, Rhode Island, as well as five from New Jersey’s Newark Liberty International Airport are also being cut, according to the report.
open image in gallery“JetBlue is making targeted schedule adjustments, including ending service on a small number of underperforming routes and redeploying aircraft to support growth in Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport,” a spokesperson said.
JetBlue acknowledged this is a “disappointing” decision for many travelers, but it will help the airline meet customer demand in South Florida.
Floridians will likely welcome the airline’s presence, especially for those who relied on Spirit for more affordable airfare. However, travelers in the North East will suffer as a consequence.
Manchester-Boston Regional Airport said in a statement it was “very disappointed” in JetBlue’s decision to pull all flights from the hub.
“JetBlue shared that they have a ‘strategic imperative to backfill FLL capacity very quickly,’ and as a result had to ‘make a tough call as to how to best support national connectivity in a time of capacity crisis,’” a spokesperson said.
open image in galleryThe 11 routes impacted by the change include Manchester to Orlando, Manchester to Fort Myers, Manchester to Fort Lauderdale; Hartford to Tampa; Newark to Aruba; Newark to Cancun, Mexico; Newark to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic; Newark to Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic; Newark to Tampa; Orlando to San Jose, Costa Rica; Providence to San Juan, Puerto Rico.
It was not immediately clear if the cuts would be permanent. The Independent has contacted JetBlue for more information.
Customers who are impacted by the change will be contacted directly by the airline, according to the report.
Travelers whose flights were cut will be able to receive a full refund or the option to pick a different flight with JetBlue.