ORLANDO, Fla., June 6, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- JetBlue Airways (Nasdaq:JBLU), a low-fare, low-cost passenger airline, celebrates the opening of JetBlue University's new support campus at the Orlando International Airport, offering initial and recurrent training for its Flight Operations, Flight Attendant, Technical Operations and Customer Service crewmembers.
JetBlue University's support campus originally broke ground on May 27, 2004, and contains approximately 107,000 square feet that includes an auditorium, classrooms, briefing rooms, offices and an outdoor training pool. Additionally, the facility currently holds four Airbus A320 full-flight simulators and one Embraer E190 simulator. A second E190 simulator will be installed in August and future growth could provide spacing for up to 16 full-flight simulators. CAE of Toronto, Canada, is the exclusive provider of the full-flight simulators. There will also be two cabin trainers, one for each aircraft type, which will be used as the cornerstone for JetBlue's Flight Attendant training and certification.
The facilities were constructed by Suitt Construction Company, with BRPH Architects and Engineers as the design architect. The Planning Architect/Engineer was Rubin and Rotman Associates and Tishman Construction Corporation served as owner's representative.
JetBlue also announced today it reached an agreement in principle with the Greater Orlando Airport Authority (GOAA) to lease 4.5 additional acres adjacent to its existing JetBlue University Support Campus. JetBlue plans to construct a $20 million lodge which will be used to accommodate its crewmembers who are in the Greater Orlando area conducting training and other related airline business. This facility will operate like a very unique hotel delivering the JetBlue experience for its crewmembers in a campus-like setting. JetBlue anticipates the lodge to be completed approximately 18 to 24 months after construction begins. The agreement is subject to the finalization of definitive documentation and JetBlue expects that a definitive lease will be completed in the near future with ground breaking to occur in early 2006.
On April 26, JetBlue opened its $24 million LiveTV three-bay hangar facility 2,000 feet from the training center, and on June 21, the airline will celebrate its fifth year of service at Orlando International Airport.
"I am honored to be here today to celebrate another marker in JetBlue's ever-growing commitment to Florida," said Governor Bush. "This exciting grand opening of JetBlue University's new support campus at Orlando International Airport only strengthens JetBlue's place within Florida's dynamic aviation industry. While this fine training and support center would be welcomed anywhere, it is distinctly fitting they chose Central Florida and Orlando International Airport to foster their future success. I look forward to JetBlue's ongoing success from the Sunshine State for many years to come."
"I congratulate JetBlue for achieving yet another Orlando-based milestone with the opening of the JetBlue University Training Center," said Mayor Buddy Dyer, City of Orlando. "The City of Orlando and its residents have been proud to welcome JetBlue into the community and with this new simulator center, the 3-bay hangar that recently opened, and significant projects on the horizon, JetBlue and the City of Orlando have a partnership that I am very proud of."
"As with any great organization, success depends on the quality of its crewmembers," said Mayor Richard T. Crotty, Orange County, Florida. "JetBlue crewmembers are at the core of their company's achievements and we are proud to be home to their state-of-the-art training facility."
"JetBlue's willingness to expand and grow their brand here in Central Florida is a testament to their belief in the area's economy, workforce and leadership," said Jeff Fuqua, Chairman of the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority. "By bringing more high paying jobs to the area and helping to diversify our economy, JetBlue is securely establishing itself as a long term partner in our community."
"Our new support campus and the soon-to-be constructed JetBlue Lodge further strengthen JetBlue's commitment to building its presence in Florida, said David Neeleman, Chairman and CEO of JetBlue Airways. The City of Orlando, Orange County, The Greater Orlando Aviation Authority, The Orlando Economic Development Commission and Enterprise Florida and the countless other partners have been tremendous supporters since we launched service in Orlando in 2000."
JetBlue is a low-fare, low-cost passenger airline, which provides high-quality customer service. JetBlue operates a fleet of 75 new Airbus A320 aircraft and plans to add 9 additional A320s and 7 Embraer E190s to its fleet in 2005. Based at New York City's John F. Kennedy International Airport, JetBlue currently operates 294 flights a day and serves 31 destinations in 13 states, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic and The Bahamas. JetBlue plans to commence new service from JFK to Ponce, Puerto Rico on June 17.
All JetBlue aircraft feature roomy leather seats; all equipped with an in-seat digital entertainment system offering up to 36 channels of free DIRECTV(r) programming. On most flights, a selection of first-run movies and bonus features from FOX InFlight Premium Entertainment may be available.(See Note)
With JetBlue, all seats are assigned, all travel is ticketless, all fares are one-way, and an overnight 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 1-200-9898 if calling from the Dominican Republic. This press release, as well as past press releases, can be found on www.jetblue.com.
Note 1: DIRECTV(r) service is not available on flights between JFK and Puerto Rico or the Dominican Republic; however, where available, FOX InFlight Premium Entertainment is offered complimentary on these routes.
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, our ability to maintain our culture, our reliance on high daily aircraft utilization, increases in maintenance costs, fuel prices, insurance costs and interest rates, our dependence on the New York market, our reliance on automated systems and technology, our reliance on sole suppliers, additional government regulation and future acts of terrorism or the threat of such acts or escalation of U.S. military involvement overseas. 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 2004 Annual Report Form 10-K/A 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.
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