NEW YORK, March 8, 2004 (PRIMEZONE) -- 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.(1)
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(1):
New York (JFK) to Santiago (STI) Santiago to New York Depart -- Arrive Depart -- Arrive 6:50am -- 10:25am (eff. 6/10/04) 2:20am -- 5:55am (eff. 6/11/04) 9:45pm -- 1:20am (eff 6/10/04) 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)
All service is pending approval by U.S. and Dominican Republic governments.
JetBlue is a low-fare, low-cost passenger airline, which provides high-quality customer service. JetBlue operates a fleet of 56 new Airbus A320 aircraft and plans to add another 13 A320s to its fleet in 2004. The airline has 100 EMBRAER 190 aircraft on order with options for an additional 100 with deliveries scheduled to begin in mid 2005. All JetBlue aircraft feature roomy all-leather seats each equipped with free live satellite television, offering up to 24 channels of DIRECTV(r) Programming at every seat.(2)
Based at New York City's John F. Kennedy International Airport, JetBlue currently operates 238 flights a day and serves 23 destinations in 11 states and Puerto Rico. With JetBlue, all seats are assigned, all travel is ticketless, all fares are one-way, and a Saturday night stay is never required. For more information, schedules and fares, please visit www.jetblue.com or call JetBlue reservations at 1-800-JETBLUE (538-2583). This press release, as well as past press releases, can be found on www.jetblue.com.
(1) Subject to government approval.
(2) DIRECTV(r) service is not available on flights between New York City and Puerto Rico or the Dominican Republic.
This press release contains statements of a forward-looking nature which represent our management's beliefs and assumptions concerning future events. Forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions and are based on information currently available to us. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed in the forward looking statements due to many factors, including without limitation, our extremely competitive industry, our ability to implement our growth strategy including the integration of the EMBRAER 190 aircraft into our operations, our significant fixed obligations and our reliance on high daily aircraft utilization, increases in maintenance costs, fuel prices and interest rates, our dependence on the New York market, seasonal fluctuations in our operating results, our reliance on sole suppliers, government regulation, the loss of key personnel and potential problems with our workforce, the potential liability associated with the handling of our customer data and future acts of terrorism or the threat of such acts or escalation of U.S. military involvement overseas. Additional information concerning these and other factors is contained in the Company's Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including but not limited to, the Company's 2003 Annual Report on Form 10-K. We undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that may arise after the date of this release.
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