NEW YORK, Oct. 5, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- JetBlue Airways Corporation (Nasdaq:JBLU) reported today that its traffic in September increased 8.2 percent from September 2005, on a capacity increase of 15.8 percent.
Load factor for September 2006 was 72.6 percent, a decrease of 5.1 points from September 2005. JetBlue's preliminary completion factor was 99.6 percent and its on-time (1) performance was 76.3 percent. "Our PRASM for the month of September increased 16% year over year, in line with our expectations," said David Neeleman, CEO of JetBlue.
JETBLUE AIRWAYS TRAFFIC RESULTS
September 2006 September 2005 % Change
Revenue passenger
miles (000) 1,643,768 1,519,061 8.2
Available seat
miles (000) 2,264,582 1,955,285 15.8
Load factor 72.6% 77.7% (5.1) pts.
Revenue passengers 1,325,211 1,051,416 26.0
Departures 13,340 8,705 53.2
Average stage
length 1,132 1,440 (21.4)
Y-T-D 2006 Y-T-D 2005 % Change
Revenue passenger
miles (000) 17,521,551 15,043,038 16.5
Available seat
miles (000) 21,316,118 17,346,715 22.9
Load factor 82.2% 86.7% (4.5) pts.
Revenue passengers 13,632,954 10,878,559 25.3
Departures 114,416 81,123 41.0
Average stage
length 1,224 1,407 (13.0)
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 47 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.
(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.
The JetBlue logo is available at http://www.primezone.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=795
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.