NEW YORK, June 10, 2004 (PRIMEZONE) -- JetBlue Airways (Nasdaq:JBLU), New York's low-fare carrier, today began its first international service to Santiago, in the Dominican Republic. The carrier now serves the Caribbean island with 2 daily nonstop flights from New York City's John F. Kennedy International Airport.
The new Dominican Republic service continues the carrier's expansion in the Caribbean following the start of service to San Juan, Puerto Rico in 2002. JetBlue recently began new daily service between JFK and Aguadilla, Puerto Rico on May 27, and plans to launch new daily service from JFK to Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic on June 17.
"We're very excited to bring the JetBlue experience to the Dominican Republic," said David Neeleman, CEO of JetBlue Airways. "Dominican Republic travelers to Santiago will now be able to experience new planes, low fares, a 34-inch seat pitch for most seats, and award-winning friendly service when flying to and from the Dominican Republic."
The carrier today opened its first Airport Ticket Offices (ATO) in Santiago and Santo Domingo, allowing local customers the option of placing their reservation on hold and paying for it within 24 hours at the new ATO locations. Both ATO locations will be open daily, from 9:00am to 6:00pm.
JetBlue is currently offering a sale fare on its Dominican Republic routes of $99(see Note 1) each way, when booked at JetBlue's website, www.jetblue.com. These sale fares, which require a seven-day advance purchase, must be purchased by June 17 and are valid for travel through December 17. For an additional $3 each way, these sale fares can also be booked by calling 1-800-JETBLUE, or 1-888-751-2241 if calling from the Dominican Republic. Seats are limited and customers are encouraged to book early.
The airline's regular one-way fares on both new Dominican Republic routes will range from $133(see Note 1) to $296(see Note 1) each way if booked via www.jetblue.com. For an additional $3 each way, fares can also be booked by calling 1-800-JETBLUE, or 1-888-751-2241 if calling from the Dominican Republic.
JetBlue's schedule to Santiago will be: 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) JetBlue's schedule to Santo Domingo will be: 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)
JetBlue is a low-fare, low-cost passenger airline, which provides high-quality customer service. JetBlue operates a fleet of 60 new Airbus A320 aircraft and plans to add another nine A320s to its fleet in 2004. The airline has 100 Embraer E190 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. (see Note 2)
Based at New York City's John F. Kennedy International Airport, JetBlue currently operates 240 flights a day and serves 26 destinations in 11 states, Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic. JetBlue also plans to initiate service between JFK and Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic on June 17. 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), 1-888-538-2583 if calling from Puerto Rico, or 1-888-751-2241 if calling from the Dominican Republic. This press release, as well as past press releases, can be found on www.jetblue.com.
Note 1: Dominican Republic fares do not include Passenger Facility Charges of up to $9.00 each way, U.S. Departure Tax of $13.70 each way and September 11th Security Fees of up to $5.00 each way. Dominican Republic fares also do not include U.S. APHIS and Immigration Fees of up to $10.10, Airport Authority and Infrastructure Fees of up to $22.45 each way and Airport Departure Tax of up to $20.00. Fares for travel originating from or purchased in the Dominican Republic will range from $111* to $335* each way.
Note 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 E190 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 and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. We undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that may arise after the date of this release.