NEW YORK, June 17, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- JetBlue Airways (Nasdaq:JBLU) today launched new service from New York City's John F. Kennedy International Airport to Ponce, the second largest city on Puerto Rico's southern coast. The low-fare carrier now offers nonstop flights from New York City to more destinations in Puerto Rico than any other airline.
Ponce marks JetBlue's third city served on the "Isle of Enchantment" following the carrier's launch of service to San Juan in 2002 and Aguadilla in 2004. JetBlue currently operates six daily roundtrip flights between JFK and San Juan and one daily roundtrip flight between JFK and Aguadilla, with a second flight to begin July 1.
"We're excited to bring the JetBlue experience to Ponce, our third city in Puerto Rico," said David Neeleman, JetBlue's CEO. "Whether our customers are returning home, visiting relatives, or enjoying the many popular tourist attractions in Ponce, we believe our customers will find their trip on JetBlue as memorable as their time in beautiful Puerto Rico."
"We receive JetBlue with open arms and we are delighted about their new daily route from New York to our very own Mercedita Airport in Ponce," said Ponce's Mayor Francisco Zayas Seijo. "With this daily nonstop flight from JFK to Ponce, tourists and locals will be able to travel in and out of Puerto Rico's second largest city with ease."
The low-fare airline is offering an introductory sale fare between JFK and Ponce of $99(see Note 2) one way. The sale fares must be purchased by June 30 for travel from June 17 through July 13, 2005. Seats are limited and customers are encouraged to book early.
The airline's regular one-way fares between JFK and Ponce will range from $124 to $299(see Note 2) each when booked at www.jetblue.com or by calling 1-800-JETBLUE.
JetBlue's flight schedules will be:
New York (JFK) to Ponce, PR (PSE) Ponce to New York Depart - Arrive Depart - Arrive 12:45 am - 4:40 am 5:40 am - 9:35 am New York (JFK) to San Juan, PR (SJU) San Juan to New York Depart - Arrive Depart - Arrive 6:00 am - 9:50 am 2:10 am - 5:55 am 9:00 am - 12:45 pm 6:45 am - 10:13 am 10:30 am - 2:15 pm 10:50 am - 2:40 pm 3:10 pm - 6:55 pm 1:45 pm - 5:35 pm 8:05 pm - 11:55 pm 3:30 pm - 7:20 pm 9:25 pm - 1:10 am (next day) 7:55 pm - 11:40 pm New York (JFK) to Aguadilla, PR (BQN) Aguadilla to New York Depart - Arrive Depart - Arrive 12:50 am - 4:30 am 6:00 am - 9:45 am 6:00 am - 9:40 am 10:35 am - 2:20 pm (effective 7/1/05) (effective 7/1/05)
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 309 flights a day and serves 32 destinations in 13 states, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic and The Bahamas.
All JetBlue aircraft feature roomy leather seats, each equipped with an in-seat digital entertainment system offering 36 channels of free DIRECTV(r)(see Note 1) programming. On all flights, a selection of first-run movies and bonus features from FOX InFlight Premium Entertainment is available.
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, FOX InFlight Premium Entertainment is offered complimentary on these routes.
Note 2: Domestic fares do not include Passenger Facility Charges of up to $9.00 each way, September 11th Security Fees of up to $5.00 each way and a Federal Segment Tax of $3.20 per segment. Bahamas, Puerto Rico and Dominican Republic fares do not include Passenger Facility Charges of up to $9.00 each way, U.S. Departure Tax of $14.10 each way and September 11th Security Fees of up to $5.00 each way. Bahamas fares also do not include U.S. APHIS and Immigration Fees of up to $10.10 and Bahamas Departure Taxes of up to $22. Dominican Republic fares also do not include U.S. APHIS and Immigration Fees of up to $11.95, 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 $133 to $335 each way.
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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