JetBlue Expands Service to Puerto Rico
-- Low-fare Carrier Begins Nonstop Service to Aguadilla; Adds More Flights to San Juan from New York's JFK --
New York, NY (March 8, 2004) - JetBlue Airways (Nasdaq: JBLU) today announced new service from New York City's John F. Kennedy International Airport to Aguadilla, on Puerto Rico's northwest coast, starting May 27, 2004, and two additional frequencies between JFK and San Juan for the summer.
Aguadilla marks JetBlue's second city served on the "Isle of Enchantment" following the carrier's launch of service to San Juan in 2002. JetBlue currently operates four daily roundtrip flights between JFK and San Juan and will serve the route with six flights daily this summer. JetBlue also filed for authority with the U.S. Department of Transportation to commence twice daily service to Santiago, starting June 10, 2004, and a daily flight to Santo Domingo, starting June 17, 2004, in the Dominican Republic.*
"With the success of our service to San Juan, we're excited to expand our service in the Caribbean with our second Puerto Rico route and also our proposal to add two new routes to the Dominican Republic," said David Neeleman, CEO of JetBlue Airways. "Now travelers to Aguadilla can enjoy the JetBlue experience of new planes, a 34-inch seat pitch for most seats, and award-winning friendly service when flying to and from Puerto Rico."
"I am pleased that JetBlue will be expanding service to Puerto Rico, which will further strengthen the strong ties New York already enjoys with the island and provide added convenience for travelers who are vacationing, on business, or visiting relatives there," New York Governor George Pataki said. "JetBlue Airways' decision to provide affordable, high quality service from JFK Airport to the Dominican Republic is also tremendous news for New Yorkers, particularly for the thousands of Hispanic New Yorkers of Dominican descent who have loved ones back home."
U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer said: "One of the most important issues facing the Puerto Rican community in New York is being able to get to Aguadilla and back without paying through the roof. When we asked JetBlue to begin serving Aguadilla, they came through. The next step is filling the seats so that we can convince JetBlue to add even more flights and more service to other countries in the Caribbean."
Charles A. Gargano, Chairman of Empire State Development and Vice Chairman of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey said, "This is an exciting day for New Yorkers - especially those who have family in or do business with Puerto Rico. JetBlue's new service to Aguadilla, coupled with its request for authority to serve Santiago and Santo Domingo, will increase business and tourism between New York and the Caribbean, and marks another step forward in Governor Pataki's goal of creating one million new private sector jobs by the end of this decade."
Joseph J. Seymour, Executive Director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which operates JFK International Airport, said, "JetBlue has enjoyed strong and sustained growth since it operated its inaugural flight at JFK four years ago, which underscores the importance of the airport's $9.4 billion public-private redevelopment program that has delivered many enhancements and improvements. With Governor Pataki's support, the Port Authority is committed to making future investments at JFK."
The airline's regular one-way fares between JFK and Aguadilla will range from $134** to $294** each way if booked via www.jetblue.com. For an additional $5 each way, fares can also be booked by calling 1-800-JETBLUE.
JetBlue's flight schedules will be:
New York (JFK) to Aguadilla (BQN) Aguadilla to New York
Depart - Arrive Depart - Arrive
11:50pm - 3:35am (eff. 5/27/04) 6:00am - 9:45am (eff. 5/28/04)
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JetBlue Seeks Authority To Provide New International Service To The Dominican Republic
-- Low-fare Carrier Proposes New Daily Nonstop Flights from New York to Santo Domingo and Santiago in Filing with the U.S. Department of Transportation* --
New York, NY (March 8, 2004) - JetBlue Airways (Nasdaq: JBLU), New York's low-fare carrier, today requested authority from the U.S. Department of Transportation to provide international service, including nonstop service to the Dominican Republic. Pending approval from both governments, the proposed service from John F. Kennedy International Airport would operate with twice daily service to Santiago, starting June 10, 2004, and a daily flight to Santo Domingo, starting June 17, 2004.*
The Dominican Republic service would continue the carrier's expansion in the Caribbean following the start of service to San Juan, Puerto Rico in 2002 and new flights to Aguadilla, Puerto Rico, starting on May 27, 2004. This summer, JetBlue will serve the JFK-San Juan route with six flights per day.
"With the success of our San Juan flights, we're excited to expand our service in the Caribbean," said David Neeleman, CEO of JetBlue Airways. "Should the Department of Transportation grant JetBlue's request to provide service to the Dominican Republic, travelers to Santo Domingo and Santiago will be able to experience new planes, a 34-inch seat pitch for most seats, and award-winning friendly service when flying to and from the Dominican Republic."
"JetBlue Airways' decision to provide affordable, high quality service from JFK Airport to the Dominican Republic is tremendous news for New Yorkers, particularly for the thousands of Hispanic New Yorkers of Dominican descent who have loved ones back home," New York Governor George Pataki said. "I am also pleased that JetBlue will be expanding service to Puerto Rico, which will further strengthen the strong ties New York already enjoys with the island and provide added convenience for travelers who are vacationing, on business, or visiting relatives there."
"When we asked JetBlue to serve San Juan a few years ago, they came through and offered low fares and a great schedule between New York and Puerto Rico," said Senator Charles Schumer. "One of the most important issues facing the Dominican community in New York is being able to get to Santo Domingo and Santiago without paying through the roof. The next step is filling the seats on this new route so that we can convince JetBlue to add even more flights and more service to other destinations in the Caribbean."
Charles A. Gargano, Chairman of Empire State Development and Vice Chairman of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey said, "This is an exciting day for New Yorkers - especially those who have family in, or do business with the Dominican Republic. JetBlue's new service to Santiago and Santo Domingo will increase business and tourism between New York and the Dominican Republic, and marks another step forward in Governor Pataki's goal of creating one million new private sector jobs by the end of this decade."
Joseph J. Seymour, Executive Director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which operates JFK International Airport, said, "JetBlue has enjoyed strong and sustained growth since it operated its inaugural flight at JFK four years ago, which underscores the importance of the airport's $9.4 billion public-private redevelopment program that has delivered many enhancements and improvements. With Governor Pataki's support, the Port Authority is committed to making future investments at JFK."
JetBlue's proposed flight schedule as filed in request for international authority with the U.S. Department of Transportation*:
New York (JFK) to Santiago (STI) Santiago to New York
Depart - Arrive Depart - Arrive
6:50am - 10:25am (eff. 6/10/04)
9:45pm - 1:20am (eff 6/10/04) 2:20am - 5:55am (eff. 6/11/04)
11:25am - 3:00pm (eff 6/10/04)
New York (JFK) to Santo Domingo (SDQ) Santo Domingo to New York
Depart - Arrive Depart - Arrive
9:05pm - 12:50am (eff. 6/17/04) 1:50am - 5:35am (eff. 6/18/04)