NEW YORK, Sept. 7, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- JetBlue Airways Corporation (Nasdaq:JBLU) reported today that its traffic in August increased 11.6 percent from August 2005, on a capacity increase of 20.1 percent.
Load factor for August 2006 was 83.7 percent, a decrease of 6.4 points from August 2005. JetBlue's completion factor was 99.6 percent and its on-time(1) performance was 75.8 percent. "Our revenue performance in August was not as strong as anticipated, due in part to the impact of security-related concerns and Tropical Storm Ernesto, as well as overall lower-than-expected demand toward the end of the month," said David Neeleman, CEO of JetBlue. "Nonetheless, we achieved a 15.0% increase in preliminary PRASM in the face of capacity growth of 20%."
JETBLUE AIRWAYS TRAFFIC RESULTS
August 2006 August 2005 % Change
Revenue passenger
miles (000) 2,217,400 1,986,186 11.6
Available seat miles (000) 2,648,248 2,205,258 20.1
Load factor 83.7% 90.1% (6.4) pts.
Revenue passengers 1,729,179 1,358,129 27.3
Departures 14,743 9,708 51.9
Average stage length 1,190 1,456 (18.3)
Y-T-D 2006 Y-T-D 2005 % Change
Revenue passenger
miles (000) 15,877,783 13,523,977 17.4
Available seat miles (000) 19,051,536 15,391,431 23.8
Load factor 83.3% 87.9% (4.6) pts.
Revenue passengers 12,307,743 9,827,143 25.2
Departures 101,076 72,418 39.6
Average stage length 1,236 1,362 (9.3)
SOURCE: JetBlue Airways Corporation
(1) The U.S. Department of Transportation considers on-time arrivals
to be those domestic flights arriving within 14 minutes of
schedule.
In the six years since its launch, JetBlue Airways has focused on creating a new airline category -- an airline that offers value, service and style. Based out of New York City, the low-cost carrier currently serves 43 destinations with up to 470 flights daily. Onboard JetBlue, customers enjoy roomy leather seats and 36 channels of free DIRECTV(r) programming (a), the most live TV available on any airline. On flights longer than two hours, a selection of first-run movies and bonus features from FOX InFlight(tm) is also available. JetBlue offers customers generous brand name snacks and beverages, including freshly brewed Dunkin' Donuts(r) coffee, and delicious wines selected by the airline's Low Fare Sommelier, Josh Wesson from Best Cellars(r). On overnight flights from the West, the airline now offers Shut-Eye Service(tm), with a comfort kit designed exclusively for JetBlue by Bliss Spa and other special amenities including a "good morning" hot towel service. With JetBlue, all seats are assigned, all travel is ticketless, all fares are one-way, and an overnight stay is never required. For information or reservations call 1-800-JETBLUE (1-800-538-2583) or visit www.jetblue.com.
The JetBlue logo is available at http://www.primezone.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=79
(a) DIRECTV(r) service is not available on flights outside the continental United States; however, where applicable, FOX InFlight(tm) is offered complimentary on these routes. FOX InFlight(tm) is a trademark of Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation. JetBlue's in-flight entertainment is powered by LiveTV, a wholly owned subsidiary of JetBlue.
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; increases in fuel prices, maintenance costs and interest rates; our ability to implement our growth strategy, including the integration of the EMBRAER 190 aircraft into our operations; our significant fixed obligations; our ability to attract and retain qualified personnel and maintain our culture as we grow; our reliance on high daily aircraft utilization; our dependence on the New York metropolitan market; our reliance on automated systems and technology; our reliance on a limited number of suppliers; changes in or additional government regulation; changes in our industry due to other airlines' financial condition; and external geopolitical events and conditions. Further 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 2005 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.